IP: Paul Peters

[Dave Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

> From CNI


We are very saddened to report the death of Paul Evan Peters, 48,
Executive Director of the Coalition for Networked Information. He died
suddenly on November 18,1996 while he walked on a beach with his wife
while on a trip to Florida.


Paul was the founding director of the Coalition for Networked
Information and served as its head since March, 1990.  Highly respected
in the library, information technology, and scholarly communities, he
sought common ground for many constituencies in order to develop global
networked information resources. A true imagineer, his vision and his
ability to pull people together to build new realities were unique.


Paul led CNI through two cycles of formal evaluations by the sponsoring
organizations and as recently as September saw it move from the status
of a sunset enterprise to one of an ongoing nature, recognizing the
achievement of its essential role in the North American dialogue to
advance scholarship and intellectual productivity.


Before founding the Coalition in March 1990, Paul was Systems
Coordinator at the New York Public Library from 1987 through 1989, and
was Assistant University Librarian for Systems at Columbia University,
where he also earned a master's degree in sociology in 1986. From 1970
until 1978, Paul was a principal in a variety of research and
development projects and he earned a master's degree in library and
information science at the University of Pittsburgh. Paul worked briefly
as a Retail Systems Engineer for the National Cash Register Corporation
immediately following the completion of his undergraduate studies in
computer science and philosophy at the University of Dayton in 1969.
Paul was a former president of the Library and Information Technology
Association, was a former chair of the National Information Standards
Organization, and served on the editorial boards of a number of
networking, networked information, and library technology journals. He
also served on the Council of the American Library Association.


He is survived by his wife Rosemarie Kozdron, his parents Austin and
Mary Peters, and a brother Philip Peters.


CNI Steering Committee Chair Richard West expressed his sentiments:


"We do not yet comprehend how much Paul will be missed. His leadership,
insight, and quiet competence has had an impact on all who have
benefited from the CNI program. The many who had the chance to work with
Paul know of his contribution and influence on our professional
scholarly  and technological activities -- I cannot imagine his
contribution being replaced any time soon. For me, this is also a great
personal loss, for Paul was a trusted colleague and a close and
wonderful friend."


Information on services and other arrangements will be posted as
available at www.cni.org.  A condolence book will be available on the
CNI website.



--


   Joan K. Lippincott, Assistant Executive Director
   Coalition for Networked Information
   21 Dupont Circle, N.W.
   Washington, D.C.   20036
      (202) 296-5098
      FAX: (202) 872-0884
      Internet: joan () cni org