In Memory of Peter Neurath

Submitted by Michael Neininger on
Peter Neurath

Peter F. Neurath, 78, a reporter for the Puget Sound Business Journal for 30 years, died of kidney failure on June 6.
The son of Dr. Hans Neurath and Hilde Bial-Neurath, Peter was born in 1942 in Durham, N.C., where his father was professor of biochemistry at Duke University. In 1950 the family moved to Seattle where Hans chaired the newly formed biochemistry department in the University of Washington's Medical School, a position he held for 25 years.  Peter grew up in Seattle's Laurelhurst neighborhood and graduated from Lakeside Boys' School, where he developed life-long friendships. He attended Pomona College, from which he received a bachelor's degree in philosophy in 1964.


An intellectual and academic at heart, Peter then went to the University of Washington for a master of arts in history, the first of three master's degrees he would earn at the university.
Peter returned to Lakeside, his high school alma mater, to teach history. Seeking a new role in education, he received his second master's in counseling and guidance. He worked for two years as a school counselor before earning his third master's, this one in public administration.


Friends remember Peter for his discipline, focused commitment and life-long dedication to physical fitness and the spirit and practice of karate.


Best known for his journalistic career, Peter covered healthcare, law and banking for the Puget Sound Business Journal. "Peter was a highly dedicated professional, in the office never later than 7 a.m. and to a large degree responsible for the image of integrity and quality characteristic of the Journal," said Mike Flynn, former editor and first publisher of the the PSBJ. "Peter was highly respected as a journalist; people trusted him and they were willing to talk, to discuss issues."
"Learning was vital to Peter," Flynn added. "He never really got over being an academic. After covering a beat and learning all he could he would come to me and say, 'I want a different beat. There's nothing left for me to learn in this industry and I need to keep learning.'"
"Peter was simply the finest reporter who ever worked for me in my 24 years running the Business Journal."
Always athletic, in later life Peter exercised and walked several miles a day. He also enjoyed ballroom dancing and was a frequent attendee at dances throughout Seattle.


Having no surviving relatives he has bequeathed his estate to the University of Washington. He started the process several years ago when he donated an oil painting of his mother by renowned artist Edith London, whom his mother knew at Duke University, to the University of Washington Department of German Studies. He also endowed a note from Albert Einstein expressing condolences to Hans' grandmother on the death of her husband, as well as historic photos of the family in Germany and Austria before Hitler rose to power.
Peter's estate is designated to establish the Hans Neurath Endowed Chair in Biochemistry and the Hans Neurath Foundation to advance teaching and research in the field of biochemistry.  

 

Source: The Seattle Times

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Here are links to the story of Peter Neurath and the history of The Bial-Neurath family on our website. 

 

 

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