Remembering Peter O. Willauer
Our Founder and Board Emeritus
Peter O. Willauer November 24, 1934 - November 6, 2025
We are so grateful for the over 60 years Peter has provided exceptional education programming on Hurricane Island, and we are honored to carry on his vision.
Please Share Your Memories of Peter With Our Community
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Want to share more photos? Please email them directly to cjury@hurricaneisland.net
Peter with us on Hurricane Island September 6, 2025
I feel so fortunate to have been with POW on Hurricane Island in early September as a part of our Board meeting. The forecast was for stormy seas but POW and Carol stressed that we must press onward. I am so glad they did as so many on the island were moved to be in POW's presence. I sat next to him in the Mess Hall and asked him how it felt to be back. Without hesitating he responds "I feel relaxed". Many generations of students gathered around, leaned in and shared their stories about what they learned from POW and their own island experience. It is a moment I will never forget and will always cherish. POW's leadership put so many of us first and now he can "relax", his work is in good hands.
- Bo Hoppin, Executive Director
Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership is honored to be a trusted part of POW's legacy. Please consider a gift to the fund Peter helped us set up in his honor in order to sustain the infrastructure of our island campus.
Peter O. Willauer: Founding Visionary Leadership & Education on Hurricane Island
Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership is honored to carry forward the vision Peter O. Willauer began in 1964. In continuing the legacy of offering innovative experiential education on Hurricane Island, we are fortunate to have had Peter’s guidance as we developed programming to address the environmental challenges students face today.
As you will read in the tributes below, Peter’s impact is immeasurable.
Peter was a Founding Board Member and will always be a revered Board Emeritus of Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership.
