Peter Smeltzer (1919-2014)
We were all saddened to hear that Peter died on 28 January aged 94. He became Head of Geography in 1949, in the Grammar School days and retired thirty years later from the Upper School. The Old Burians will always be grateful for the many years’ support that both he and his wife Eve gave to the Association – most especially at the annual cricket match when Peter played (and later when he umpired) and with Eve filling out the scorebook.
Many geography students benefited from his style of teaching, as his examination results testified (his sketch maps on the blackboard which he often described as being “in glorious technicolour” were legendary), and his lesson notes were always clear and concise. In recent years, when his eyesight began to fail, he moved from Culford into Bury. He much enjoyed the annual lunch for ex-KEGS staff, which Robert Hey hosted each August. He also found fulfilment in painting water colours.
A private family funeral took place. An account of the memorial meeting held on 20 September 2014 appeared in the 2015 “Old Burian” magazine.