Peter H. Werner ’68
Peter H. Werner ’68 died in Wilmington, North Carolina, on March 21 of heart complications following a torn aorta. Born January 17, 1947, in New York City to S. Henry’34 and Elizabeth Grumbach Werner, Peter was an Emmy-nominated TV director and won a “Best Short Film” Oscar in 1977 for In the Region of Ice. Peter’s siblings included brother Tom and sister Patricia. At Dartmouth Peter majored in English, was a member of Psi Upsilon and Sphinx, and was active in Paleopitus, Dartmouth Film Society, The Dartmouth, Aegis, Green Key, and Camera Club. Upon graduation Peter served as a member of Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) in Detroit before founding a Quaker high school in Deerfield, Massachusetts. He earned M.A. degrees in teaching (Antioch) and documentary filmmaking (American Film Institute). He developed a passion for filmmaking after meeting Frances Flaherty, widow of Robert Flaherty, known as the father of documentary film. After winning an Oscar, Peter devoted his talents to television, where he directed dozens of well-known and successful series and movies, including Moonlighting, The Wonder Years, Justified, Bull, and Law & Order SVU. He earned four Emmy nominations and was honored with a Peabody Award for LBJ: The Early Years. Although he was recognized as a brilliant director and encouraging collaborator, those who knew him best will remember him as an even better human being. Peter is survived by his wife, Kedren; children Lillie, Katharine, and James; brother Tom; and grandchildren Asher, Indira, and Uma.
