Peter Biehl Remembered
The University community mourns the loss of Peter
Biehl who died of complications from colon cancer on Easter Sunday,
March 31, in a California hospital.
Only a few weeks earlier, on March 1, Peter and
Linda Biehl had returned to the Amherst campus to continue discussions
with various individuals and groups about partnerships with the
Amy Biehl Foundation. In November, the Biehls’ presentations
about their community development projects in South Africa not
only attracted interest from students and faculty across the campus,
but also gave real meaning to the phrase "living values".
Peter and Linda Biehl dedicated themselves to building
hope and human potential in South Africa following their daughter
Amy’s murder there in 1993. Prior to Amy’s death, Peter
had worked in marketing, and his entrepreneurial skills led to
innovative social projects sponsored by the Amy Biehl Foundation
including a chain of bakeries producing "Amy’s Bread:
The Bread of Hope and Peace."
Reflecting on Peter’s life, Linda said, "He
was an action man. He wanted to understand the problems of South
Africa and do something to solve those problems." She added,
"Peter saw great hope in South Africa and also acquired strength
from the South African people. He truly believed that it was a
miraculous country." Despite the loss of Peter, Linda is
committed to continuing the work of the Amy Biehl Foundation.
A memorial service for Peter Biehl was held at the
National Cathedral in Washington DC on April 26, 2002.
