Join Us In Sending Peter Birthday Wishes In His 90th Year
We are so grateful for the 60 years Peter has provided exceptional education programming on Hurricane Island, and we are honored to carry on his vision.
Wish POW a Very Happy Birthday!
Please click on the button below and complete the form
Want to share more photos? Please email them directly to nhathaway@hurricaneisland.net
Special thanks to Carol Willauer for images above
Birthday Messages:
From all of the staff of Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership we are honored to celebrate your birthday. The impact you have made over 60 years, on countless people, as a champion for outdoor experiential learning, is tremendous.
Thank you Peter for all that you have done to found this organization to make sure that high quality learning takes place on Hurricane Island for the next 60 years and beyond!
- Bo Hoppin, Executive Director
Hooray to my amazing Dad:
Sextant in my hand before my eighth birthday
Twenty summers on Hurricane Island
Cruising and Racing on the likes of the Nellie Bones, Nepenthe, Giselle, and Eight Bells
A St. Bernard companion
A punt named Quest with a 20-horse Johnson for completing assigned explorations
And a college education….lucky boy!
Happy Birthday, Dad!
- Langley Willauer
Happy Birthday POW! Thank you for your ongoing stewardship of Hurricane Island - for your immeasurable contributions to expeditionary learning and daring organizations to achieve the impossible!
- Ben Willauer
Happy Birthday Peter!
- Susan St. John
I am so sorry I cannot attend this wonderful celebration of your 90th birthday. From the moment Rafe and I set foot in your home, right off the plane from England in 1968, you have been a big part of our lives, both at Hurricane and also SEA. It is a friendship that has meant so much to us over these many years, and my only sadness is that Rafe is no longer with us to celebrate the event.
With much love,
- Kate Parker
Congratulations POW on your 90th birthday. I'm sure your party will be a glorious day with so many family, friends and supporters attending. Unfortunately, JoAnn and I will be returning from Barcelona that weekend and unable to attend in person, but certainly in spirit. Peter, I truly value your leadership, all the years working for you and your friendship. Have a magnificent day.
- George and JoAnn Armstrong
Happy Birthday, POW! Much love
- Ann (Watson) Bresnahan
April of 1975 I entered into the HIOBS offices situated in a storefront on Main St., Rockland. 22 years old and just out of a 4 year stint as Boatswain Mate with the USCG, I was looking for work. It was the first year that the USCG was requiring HIOBS to have a license skipper in the HI boats. Rafe Parker met me and after I told him I had a Coast Guard license, he sounded out "We've got a live one!" That's when Peter came running over. I was immediately hired and did four courses that year. Over the years Peter and I have kept in touch. I've always admired all the work and initiatives that you Peter created and carried out for the youth of so many generations. My life was so enriched during my watch officer days with HIOBS through the 1970s.
"May the road rise up to meet you, May the wind be always at your back, May the warm rays of the sun fall upon your home, And may the land of a friend always be near."
- Daniel Montague
HAPPY 90th YEAR, POW! And many happy returns of the day.
- Barney Hallowell
Happy Birthday POW. I am fortunate Josh Miner sent me to Rockland in the spring of 1981 to overnight in the parking lot waiting to speak with you about a role at HIOBS. Many roles later, I am grateful for the opportunities you shared. Saludos!
- Buck Burnaman
Dear Peter:
The happiest of birthdays to you! It was so wonderful to see you again on Hurricane in August, and meet more of your family.
- Gail Gaston
Hey Peter, A very happy birthday to you.
Best Wishes
- Bill Frederick
Happy Birthday Peter!!! I was out on the island in 1974/2000/2005 many thanks for your efforts and leadership to all that have been inspired on the great northern Atlantic.
- Amy Olmstead-Brown
Happy Birthday,🎂 Peter. Hope you enjoyed special day.
Cheers and best wishes,
- David Harman
Happy 90th Birthday Peter and also a BIG Thank you! Thank you for having the guts, the vision, the persistence, the sense of adventure and purpose to create the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School. It changed my life in countless ways. From the deep lifelong friendships, the self confidence I gained, helping others in such a meaningful and powerful way, getting deeply involved in public education, helping me define my beliefs about life and finally introducing me to my beloved husband! I was proud from the moment I took an Outward Bound course to be a part of it and I continue to be proud. You created something lasting and great- that matters especially now in this crazy world. Congratulations on this legacy.
Your ninety years on this earth has made a difference and here’s to many more,
- Tina Clark Edwards
You are an inspiration for us all!!!
- Dr. Bob Steneck
Peter changed my life
- Biz Van Gelder
Peter, Linda and I wish you a very happy birthday. I
'll take you back to 1966 and H-5 when you and I first crossed paths. I was a student in McMillan Watch, led by WO Adrian Middleton. Due to early departures, McMillan was reduced to an undermanned 9 students. After intense deliberations, you agreed that McMillan could join Nansen for the first HIOBS program expedition to Cross Island. Now, jump ahead to 1971-1972 when, I was pressed to do something useful during a timeout from college, I joined the HIOBS kitchen staff under Chef Rene Genzales. Rene and his wife found island living a bit too much and surreptitiously made their escape from "The Rock." Shortly thereafter, you acquiesced to my escape from the galley to take a position under Barney on the waterfront. I went from Captain of the newly-installed Hobart Dishwasher to Captain of new acquired S/V Reliance. What were you thinking? Moving on, in about 2009 or 2010, Linda and I ran into you and Carol on the docks in Northeast Harbor--and then on the LL Bean bus to Bar Harbor. These remembrances are mere data points (probably recalled only by me) as we really never know one another. That all changed in 2014 when I chanced to join the board of the Center of Science & Leadership--that is when I started to really get to know you as more than a face. Starting with my first board meeting, I came to understand more and more your qualities as a true leader, and your importance to what has matured into another hugely successful organization. Eighty-nine years of contributing to a better world--quite a resume.
Happy birthday,
- Alec and Linda
Happy birthday! From H-2 graduate
- Richard Ailes
Happy Birthday Peter! Thank you so much for your continued friendship with our family and support of the Island. Have a great one!
Best
- Frances Gaston
Very best wishes to you Peter, still living a rich deep life.
Best,
- Tino Obrien
Happy birthday, POW!
Lots of love
- Beezie Bickford
Happiest of birthdays, POW! Thank you for your leadership, your guidance, and your enthusiasm for such a special place all of these years.
- Reed Bundy
Fond memories of my first winter in Maine, when I was fresh from Southwest Outward Bound and you tested me by asking me to write something for HIOBS. Guess I passed, cause many years of salt air followed! All the best as you embark on another year.
- Alison Kuller
Happy Birthday POW from Maggie Salter. H37-G on Bartlett Island and Watch-O 1976 -1979. Changed my life.
- Maggie Salter
Happy Birthday, Peter, and all best wishes. Since the navigation class I took with you as a high school senior in 1964, in which many of the piloting exercises somehow seemed to take place in southern Penobscot Bay, through H-0 that first summer, and ever since, Hurricane Island and Peter Willauer have always been important parts of my life. Many thanks and may the good work continue!
- John Chandler
Hi Peter
You have followers and well-wishers all over the GLOBE ! And that definitely includes me and others in Nevis- your second home.
Happy Birthday to YOU dear Peter !
We love you!
- parrybev@aol.com
Happy Birthday! Whether we found each other during OBP programs on Island, or in Nantucket Harbor, it's always been a delight to have a good chat! sending much love for health and celebration on your birthday and ahead!
With love,
- Ellen Harris
Happy Birthday! Thanks for your vision and being my role model! ❤️ you don’t even know me, but you’ve influenced my life in so many ways. Like being an OB instructor, now living in Maine, and founding @windjammer-weekend
Thank you!
- Annie Higbee
Happy Birthday Peter, with my warmest wishes.
- Dan Hinckley
Happy birthday, Peter, and thanks for founding powerful and enduring educational experiences and communities on Hurricane island, and for building and preserving this rich heritage for so many generations of us who love the place, and those younger ones who are and will benefit from your vision and tireless work, for generations to come. I also will never lose my gratitude to you for supporting and believing in me, late in the summer of 1972, when I was one of the first four women instructors hired by HIOBS as it integrated from its first, all-male incarnation, and it was time for us to be promoted to watch officer status from assistants, and your program director had told me I was over-confident and not ready.
- Becky Pierce
Peter - I'm so glad to see the success of the current version of Hurricane Island. I hope to get back there someday soon.
- Charlie Bering
Happy birthday, POW! Have many memories working for you and HIOBS in the 80's.
- Mary Sue Weeks
Happiest of birthdays Peter!
- Karen and Barry Wilson
Happy Birthday Peter,
I had the most wonderful surprise when 2 or 3 years ago you and your wife walked into my restaurant in Newport RI. It had been over 50 years since I had seen you, for I was a participant In H-20 Grenfell Watch under Ellwood Root and Stephen Bailey. We spent 30-45 minutes discussing the most impactful experience in my lifetime.I recognized you immediately, and said to you "I could be mistaken , but you are Peter Willauer! and you were most pleasantly surprised as I was.. It had been over 50 years. I still have my original HIOBS blue sweatshirt and it still fits. If you recall, We had a Hurricane warning in that couse and Grenfell stayed as the other watches evacuated. I personally manned the radio communication that day. KMA 4119 base to all units! I am 71 years young today. To serve, to strive and not to Yield. Happy Birthday and to many more. HIOBS shaped my life, and for that, I am both blessed and filled with my utmost Gratitude. I will forward pictures of that occasion when I can find them.
All My Best,
Paul Duffy H-20 August 1970?
Grenfell Watch 26 day course
Happy birthday, Peter! Wishing you and Carol the best. I have fond memories of working for you both at TIOBEC.
- Jennifer O’Brien
Happy Birthday Peter! Thank you for enabling me to have one of the most impactful experiences of my life. You created an amazing community from which I have drawn extraordinary friendships. You had the vision and the tenacity to build something very, very special. An achievement of great depth and power!
- Tom De Carlo
It was MANY years ago (1960s) I saw a promo film for Hurricane Island Outward Bound. The kids had to start each day with a jump into the ocean. I never did go to HI or OB, but I have taken a cold shower (after the hot one:) every morning since that film. A great way to start the day. And knowing Peter and his family for so many years, I can say his impact on thousands of young folk, here at Prouts Neck, at Hurricane Island and many other parts of the world, is immense. And we all carry a bit of his spirit forward.
Thanks, Peter, for overnight sails on Eight Bells, Island adventures in the Caribbean, and all those Willauers that continue to decorate our lives......
Cheers!
- Phil von Stade
Celebrate Well!
- Annie Gray
Happy Birthday, Peter!
Normally, to guys ‘our age’ I’d add condolences, but you’re due congratulations! You have contributed so much to the education and leadership training of so many, and such a varied group of young people. For me, the experience of being part of HIOBS 1&2 followed by the sessions in 1969 (18-19?) was really great. You assembled such a group of talented, motivated staff…it was a privilege to be a part of those early years. The ‘rebirth’ of Hurricane Is as the Center for Science and Leadership is an amazing Act II! What’s next? Do look us up if you are on MDI.
Best,
- Ned Butler
HI Peter -
This is Ted Scheu writing for my mom Molly. Your name came up this week in a HIOBS reminiscence brimming with many fond-fond recollections of Mom's long friendship with you. A quick search found this site and a chance--albeit a few months late--to send you best-birthday wishes and cheers for many more. Molly is 96 and happily installed at Kendal in Hanover and doing pretty well. She still--with help--gets to Cliff Island each summer. She hopes to cross paths with you again.
Warmly,
Ted for Molly
Happy happy birthday, Peter!!!!
Miss you and send loads of love as you start your 90th year!!! Much love to you and Carol!!! I’ll be thinking of you for sure on the 24th!!! Will never forget our amazing times together.
- Barbara Cousens
Had it not been for you, POW, I would not have had the fun life I've had. And I wouldn't have met my bride.
Thank you for it all
- Jeff Parsons
Happy Birthday Peter!
With love,
- Jack and Zdenka Griswold
Happy Birthday
Thanks for your service
- Jon Bobinski
Oh Peter - 90's getting up there!! SO MANY memories, so many good sailing days.
Have a wonderful birthday!
- Anne Peyton
Happy Birthday POW - wishing you all the best on your special day.
- Rusty Kellogg
Happy birthday, dear Peter!
With Love
- Beezie
POW, I still remember that 1980 September day I interviewed with you for a new marketing job at HIOBS to be based in Rockland, Maine. I also recall saying at the end of the interview, "put me in coach, you won’t be sorry.” When Dana asked me during our drive back to Boston, “how did it go”, I replied, “from a strategic marketing perspective I felt like a blind dog in a meat factory.” and that I thought I could have fun working with Peter and this “Armstrong” guy they just hired and help building a team that could grow the organization.
Needless to say, Dana was convinced I would get the job so we started planning what would be involved with a move to Maine on the drive home. At that point in our lives we had run most of the best whitewater rivers and fished the historic brooktrout and landlocked salmon waters in the state. So the Outward Bound organizational culture was very attractive to us.
POW, your fateful decision forty-four years ago changed our lives and thanks for hanging around for 90 years.
- Ted & Dana Rodman
I’m recalling the inspiring brainstorming session you and Barney Hallowell organized at Stan Cobb’s camp on Belgrade Lake to imagine what Hurricane Island could become. A decade and half later the Hurricane Island we see now is a tribute to your vision. It was my honor to have been a tiny part of those early conversations, as it is to be a board member now.
Cheers!
- Rick Wahle
POW, I am so happy to be able to share my gratitude for all you have done for me personally as well as for the community at large. Under your leadership of HIOBS, I took a 26-day Maine Challenge course at the age of 20 in 1987 and became a volunteer on the waterfront out on Hurricane beginning in the summer of 1989. Your son Dowzer was my sea staff instructor! Your leadership of HIOBS and you and your families’ presence on the island was incredible. Your positive influence helped propel me to become an instructor and Watch-O through 1995. I met my husband at a staff training and we fell in love on Hurricane Island. Our two children took HIOBS courses and now our daughter is an instructor with HIOBS!
Luckily for me, I have been able to assist a handful of sailing courses in the past few years. I have so often wanted to thank you in person for all that you have done for me unknowingly. You created an incredible community out there on Hurricane. I was devastated when HIOBS had to leave the island, but then, along came Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership. The Island became a thriving community once more! I’ve been delighted to see the progress that the Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership has enjoyed. Thank you for being a pioneer in outdoor experiential education and a steward of Hurricane Island. You have helped build impactful and empowered communities out on Hurricane Island and BEYOND!
Happy 90th Birthday, POW!
With great respect and gratitude
- Deirdre Wellehan Lacambra
Have a great day, Peter. You've been an inspiration to me for more than 60 years and looking forward to many more to come.
- John and Tania Chandler
Happy happy happy Birthday, Peter! My knowing who I was began at Hurricane in 1972! Thank you!
- Dagny St. John
Happy Birthday Peter!
- Marlene Hume
You have led a number of amazing new chapters to the history of Hurricane Island, and the story is not over yet! Happy Birthday Peter.
- Denis Moonan
Tom and I send our joyful birthday greetings to you and thank you for being a friend and role model. Eat cake!!
- Mary & Tom Amory
Happy 90th POW!
- Love, Ann
Peter have a wonderful wonderful birthday, thanks for all the great adventures in life that you gave me, an opportunity to have onward through the fog as they say
- Bob & Wendy Weiler
Happy Birthday dear Peter. Bill & I were so sorry to miss you in Maine for your celebration but our daughter was getting married that weekend and we just could not make it work. Have a wonderful year!
- Love, Jane ( Watson) and Bill Stetson
Mr. Willauer, Oceanside High School's Academy program wishes you a birthday full of joyful memories and a day filled with love. We are so grateful for your vision and leadership that has given our students an incredibly rich learning environment to go to each June.
- Jennifer Cross
Happy Birthday!
- Nejdat Mulla
Happy birthday POW!!!
- Mary Moran
Peter, many of us who strive to achieve your vision for Hurricane Island, recognize we would not be nearly so far along without your strong leadership and valuable guidance. Happy Birthday and thank you.
- Bill Harwood
Yeah POW!!!
- Barry Copp
Being part of the Hurricane Island community is a gift!
Thank You
- Diana Petrakos
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 Peter’s guidance as we develop programming to address the environmental challenges students face today.
As you will read in the tributes above, Peter’s impact is immeasurable.
Peter is a Founding Board Member and Board Emeritus of Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership - Read More
