Peter Louis Truebner  

     Truebner, Peter Louis. Peter Louis Truebner, of Darien, Connecticut – a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend – died on January 23, 2015 after a valiant struggle with cancer. He was 73 years old.  Peter was born on May 29, 1941 in New York City, to Louis Harold Truebner and Elise Nieschlag Truebner, and was raised in Stamford, Connecticut. Peter earned his Bachelors in Arts at Yale University in 1964, his Juris Doctor at the University of Michigan in 1967 and his Master of Law from Georgetown University in 1969. He also served in the United States Marine Corps Reserves. Mr. Truebner served as the Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York from 1969 to 1974 before returning to Connecticut where he would practice law for the next 40 years. As a litigator, he represented his clients in the federal, state and local courts. His practice was primarily criminal defense, civil litigation and family law. He was a member of the bar association in Connecticut and District of Columbia, as well as the Federal Bar Council and Connecticut Association of Trial Lawyers.  His commitment to the Darien community played an important part of his life.

From 1994 to 2009, he served as a Commissioner for the Darien Police Department. Peter also served as Chairman of the Darien Housing Authority, local Red Cross Chapter, and was an active member of the Republican Town Committee.  Peter was a life-long sportsman, a history highlighted by his role on the nationally ranked, undefeated Yale Football Team of 1960. One of his great passions was paddle tennis. He played both tennis and paddle tennis for Middlesex Club, and was also a member at the Silvermine Golf Club. Peter is survived by his wife, Jan Wright Truebner; their son Steve Truebner, his wife Emily and children Clara, Teddy and Tim, of Kansas City, MO; his daughter Blair Truebner Gorman, her husband Chris and daughter Piper, of Rowayton, CT; Sisters Elise Henning of Darien and Wendy Knapp of North Haven; and devoted nieces and nephews. 

Calling Hours are scheduled for Thursday, January 29th from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Edward Lawrence Funeral Home, located at 2119 Boston Post Road, Darien, CT 06820.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, January 30th at 3 p.m. at the Noroton Presbyterian Church, located at 2011 Boston Post Road, Darien, CT 06820.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Obie Harrington-Howes Foundation, Darien EMS-Post 53, or A Better Chance in Darien. www.lawrencefuneralhome.com.

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PETER LOUIS TRUEBNER, SON OF TRUBY AND ELISE, BROTHER OF WENDY AND ELISE, HUSBAND OF THE INCOMPARABLE JAN, FATHER TO STEVE AND BLAIR, UNCLE TO CORNELIA, PETER AND KEN AND POPPOP TO PIPER, CLARA, TEDDY AND TIM.  I MIGHT ADD AS WELL THAT HE WAS GODFATHER TO WILL ADAMS. PETER HAS PASSED AWAY- FAR TOO SOON FOR ALL OF US HERE- BUT AFTER A EXTRAORDINARILY FULL AND CONSEQUENTIAL LIFE AND IN THE LOVING EMBRACE OF HIS FAMILY AND WITH THE GREAT ESTEEM OF ALL WHO KNEW HIM WELL.

 PETER TRUEBNER WAS BOTH A FINE HUMAN BEING AND A GREAT GUY, AND THOSE ARE THE TWO THEMES I AM GOING TO TOUCH ON THIS AFTERNOON.  I KNEW HIM FOR OVER SIXTY YEARS BEGINNING WITH MY TRANSFER TO NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL TO START SEVENTH GRADE, A CLASS OF WHICH PETE WAS ONE OF THE LEADERS.  THE FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN A SKINNY NEWCOMER AND THE FIRE-PLUG GUY WITH THE OUTSIZED PERSONALITY DID NOT BLOSSOM ALL AT ONCE, BUT IT DEVELOPED.  SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW THAT PETER AND I REGULARLY ADDRESSED EACH OTHER AS MR. ADAMS AND MR. TRUEBNER.  THIS WAS SIMPLY TO PUT AT LEAST A VENEER OF DECORUM ON A RELATIONSHIP THAT WAS SOMETIMES RAUCOUS AND IRRITABLE, OFTEN HILARIOUS, AND ALWAYS COMPETITIVE.  

 HIS IRREVERENCE WAS INTRIGUING.  ONCE, WHEN OUR 7^TH GRADE TEACHER, 6'5" ART BEANE, WAS WRITING ON THE BLACKBOARD AND TURNED TO SEE PETER CHEWING GUM HE ORDERED THE GUM PUT IMMEDIATELY IN THE SCRAP BASKET.  WHEN BEANE WENT BACK TO THE BOARD, PETER, WITH THAT BIG BEAVER TOOTH GRIN, PULLED OUT AND HELD UP FOR ALL THE CLASS TO SEE, A FULL PACK OF JUICY FRUIT, READY FOR CHEWING.  I SWEAR IF MR. BEANE HAD TURNED AT THAT POINT PETER WOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE SCRAP BASKET AS WELL.

 DURING THAT PERIOD PETER ALSO LEARNED SOME ETIQUETTE FROM ONE OF THE MASTERS, MY MOTHER.  HE CALLED OUR HOME ONE NIGHT AND WHEN THE TELEPHONE WAS ANSWERED ABRUPTLY SAID “TAG, PLEASE”.  UNFORTUNATELY, IT WAS FLO ADAMS WHO ANSWERED AND WHO THEN QUITE EMPHATICALLY EXPLAINED TO PETE THAT IT WAS MORE APPROPRIATE TO OPEN A CONVERSATION WITH “GOOD EVENING MRS. ADAMS,” PERHAPS  INQUIRE ABOUT HER GENERAL WELL BEING AND THEN SAY “MAY I PLEASE SPEAK TO TAG IF HE IS AVAILABLE.”  FOR YEARS, PETE CLAIMED IT WAS THE SHORTEST AND MOST SEARING TELEPHONE CONVERSATION HE EVER EXPERIENCED.  ACTUALLY, MY PARENTS LOVED PETE AND YEARS LATER WHEN HE TOOK A JOB IN DARIEN WHILE JAN AND THEIR CHILDREN WERE STILL LIVING NEAR HARTFORD, THEY INVITED PETE TO STAY WITH THEM IN NEW CANAAN DURING THE WORK WEEK- AN OFFER HE OFTEN ACCEPTED- AND FROM ALL REPORTS THERE WERE MANY CONVIVIAL EVENINGS AT 687 SMITH RIDGE UNTIL PETE AND JAN FOUND A NEW HOME IN DARIEN ON HEATHER LANE, THE PRECURSOR TO PEMBROKE ROAD. 

 E BOTH ATTENDED THE HOTCHKISS SCHOOL, A HIGHLY REGARDED PENITENTIARY FOR YOUNG MEN IN NORTHWEST CONNECTICUT.  HOTCHKISS ENFORCED THE “NO FUN” RULE RELIGIOUSLY.  THE RULE WAS INVOKED WHENEVER ANYONE IN AUTHORITY NOTICED TWO OR MORE STUDENTS ENJOYING THEMSELVES FOR MORE THAN 3 MINUTES WITHOUT APPARENTLY BREAKING ANY OTHER RULE.  WHEN INVOKED, THE ERRANT STUDENTS WOULD BE ORDERED TO THE STUDY HALL.

 PETER ACTUALLY THRIVED IN THIS SURROUNDING.  HE WAS A STELLAR FOOTBALL PLAYER AND BURGEONING SCHOLAR.  AT THE END OF HIS JUNIOR YEAR HE WAS CITED AS THE MOST IMPROVED VARSITY FOOTBALL PLAYER AND AWARDED THE PROBASCO CUP- A NAME WITH DISCONCERTING CONNOTATIONS FOR A FOOTBALL AWARD, IF I DO SAY SO MYSELF.  IN HIS SENIOR YEAR PETE WON THE PRESTIGIOUS ENGLISH WRITING AWARD- THE TREADWAY PRIZE- FOR HIS TOTALLY UNILLUMINATING ESSAY ON THE POET E.E. CUMMINGS WHICH OF COURSE WAS WRITTEN IN ALL LOWERCASE LETTERS.

 WE LOST CLOSE CONTACT WHEN PETE WAS ACCEPTED TO YALE AND I FAILED TO MAKE THE IVY LEAGUE CUT.  I THINK YOU WILL HEAR LATER FROM SOMEONE WITH MORE INTERESTING TALES OF PETE’S COLLEGE CAREER THAN ARE AVAILABLE TO ME, BUT HERE GOES.  HE PLAYED ON BOTH THE FRESHMAN AND VARSITY FOOTBALL TEAMS INCLUDING THE HISTORIC UNDEFEATED TEAM OF 1960.  AS HE DESCRIBED IT HIS “STURDY PEGS” AND LACK OF HEIGHT ALLOWED HIM TO UNDERCUT BIGGER AND STRONGER PLAYERS.  MY OWN TAKE ON IT IS THAT PETE SUCCEEDED, AS IN MANY THINGS, BY SHEER DETERMINATION AND GRIT.

 AFTER A COUPLE OF YEARS IN NEW HAVEN PETE QUALIFIED FOR A SPECIAL YALE PROGRAM CALLED JUNIOR YEAR AT QUANTICO.  THIS OCCURRED WHEN HE SHOWED OFF A COUPLE TOO MANY CHEEKS IN A PUBLIC PLACE WHICH I THINK WAS THE YALE DINING HALL ON PARENTS WEEKEND.  HE WAS THEREFORE ASKED BY YALE TO TAKE HIS TALENTS ELSEWHERE WHICH HE DID BY ENLISTING IN THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORP.  I KNOW LITTLE ABOUT PETE’S STAY IN THE MARINES.  I THINK IT WAS SOMETHING LIKE HOTCHKISS IN THAT NOTHING YOU DO IS RIGHT, YET SOMEHOW YOU SURVIVE AND GET STRONGER.  ANYWAY, PETE RETURNED FROM SERVICE TO YALE MORE TRUEBNERESQUE THAN EVER, AND GRADUATED IN 1964, WAS DUNNED FOR ALUMNI CONTRIBUTIONS FOR OVER 50 YEARS BY REPRESENTATIVES OF BOTH THE CLASS OF ‘63 AND ‘64, DELIGHTING PETE NO END BY ALLOWING HIM TO TELL EACH SOLICITOR THAT HE HAD ALREADY GIVEN TO THE OTHER CLASS.

 THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN LAW SCHOOL WAS THE NEXT STOP.  DURING ONE LAW SCHOOL SUMMER PETER WORKED IN MISSISSIPPI FOR A PROGRAM TO REGISTER AFRICAN-AMERICAN VOTERS.  HE ALSO MADE THE VERY POOR DECISION TO DO HIS MARINE RESERVE TRAINING IN MISSISSIPPI AT THE SAME TIME WITH A MARINE COMPANY PRIMARILY MADE UP OF SOUTHERN GOOD OLE BOYS WHO, WHEN THEY FOUND OUT WHAT PETE WAS ACTUALLY DOING IN MISSISSIPPI, TOOK IT UPON THEMSELVES TO CONVINCE HIM TO MEND HIS WAYS.  THE DETAILS OF THAT EXPERIENCE ARE GRUESOME.  SUFFICE IT TO SAY PETER DID NOT MEND HIS WAYS, AND THAT IS ONE OF THE MANY REASONS WHY ALL OF US ARE HERE TO PAY SPECIAL TRIBUTE TODAY.

 

A FEW YEARS LATER PETER AND I FOUND OURSELVES, AS RECENT LAW SCHOOL GRADUATES, IN WASHINGTON, D.C. STARTING CAREERS.  PETER HAD WON AN E. BARRETT PRETTYMAN FELLOWSHIP RUN BY GEORGETOWN LAW SCHOOL WHICH WAS AN EXCELLENT TWO YEAR PROGRAM, STILL IN EXISTENCE TODAY, LEADING TO A MASTER’S DEGREE IN TRIAL LAW.  HE TOOK TO THE TRIAL WORK LIKE A DUCK TO WATER, REPRESENTING INDIGENT DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA RESIDENTS IN BOTH CIVIL AND CRIMINAL CASES.  WITHIN MONTHS PETE WAS SITTING SECOND CHAIR DEFENDING A MURDER CASE WHILE I WAS TOILING AWAY ANSWERING CONSTITUENT MAIL IN THE OFFICE OF THEN SENATOR FROM CONNECTICUT, ABE RIBICOFF.  NOT FOR THE LAST TIME I HAD THE DEFINITE SENSE THAT PETE WAS PUTTING HIS LEGAL SKILLS TO A FAR BETTER PURPOSE THAN I.

 WE RENTED A 9 ACRE FARM IN ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA WITH ACCOMPANYING MEMBERSHIP IN AN ADJACENT CLUB WITH A SWIMMING POOL, A MEMBERSHIP THAT WAS WITHDRAWN SWIFTLY AFTER PETE ESCORTED HIS AFRICAN-AMERICAN SECRETARY OVER FOR A SWIM ONE EVENING.

 WE HAD SOME GOOD TIMES IN WASHINGTON, ALMOST ALL OF WHICH WILL GO UNMENTIONED HERE THIS AFTERNOON.  GAR MURTHA, NOW A SENIOR FEDERAL JUDGE IN VERMONT, LIVED WITH US ON THE FARM AND FOR A NUMBER OF MONTHS WE ALSO HOUSE-SAT A LARGE BEAUTIFUL GEORGIAN COLONIAL IN THE GEORGETOWN AREA WITH ITS OWN TENNIS COURT. THE HOUSE BELONGED TO AL FRIENDLY, THEN MANAGING EDITOR OF THE WASHINGTON POST.  WE WERE LIVING HIGH ON THE HOG INDEED- BUT WE KNEW WERE OVERMATCHED.  NONE OF US HAD ENOUGH CLOTHES TO FILL TWO CLOSETS AND MANY EARLY MORNINGS FOUND ONE OR MORE OF US TRAVELING FROM ONE RESIDENCE TO THE OTHER IN SEARCH OF A CLEAN SHIRT OR MATCHING SOCKS FOR WORK.  NEVERTHELESS, OUR LIVING QUARTERS, PARTICULARLY THE GEORGETOWN TENNIS COURT, WERE GAME CHANGERS IN TERMS OF OUR DATING SUCCESS.  I ALSO REMEMBER THE EXPERIENCE OF STANDING ON THE POTOMAC BRIDGE LEADING TO ARLINGTON CEMETERY IN JUNE 1968 WITH A FUTURE PILLAR OF THE DARIEN REPUBLICAN PARTY WAITING FOR THE FUNERAL CORTEGE OF BOBBY KENNEDY TO PASS BY.  I AM NOT SURE THAT PETER WAS ACTUALLY MOURNING, BUT WE UNDERSTOOD SOMETHING HAD BEEN LOST.

 AFTER THE PRETTYMAN FELLOWSHIP ENDED PETER WENT TO THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY’S OFFICE FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK- HOME OF THE OLDEST FEDERAL COURT IN THE COUNTRY.  A YEAR OR SO LATER I JOINED HIM THERE AFTER HE PUT IN A GOOD WORD WITH THE HIRING ATTORNEYS WHO WERE AGHAST THAT I, UP TO THAT TIME, HAD NEVER REALLY PRACTICED LAW.

 ETE WAS A MAINSTAY OF THE OFFICE’S CRIMINAL DIVISION.  IT WAS THE VIETNAM WAR ERA AND HE WAS, AMONG OTHER THINGS, GIVEN THE UNENVIABLE TASK OF PROSECUTING THOSE WHO SLACKED IN PERFORMING THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES AS DRAFTEES.  FOR INSTANCE, IF A YOUNG MAN FAILED TO TAKE THE REQUIRED STEP FORWARD AT THE SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM HEADQUARTERS ON NEARBY WHITEHALL STREET IN LOWER MANHATTAN, SOONER OR LATER, HIS CASE WOULD BE REFERRED TO ASSISTANT U.S. ATTORNEY TRUEBNER FOR PROSECUTION.  I AM INDEBTED TO PETE PUTZEL FOR THIS FOLLOWING INSIGHT.  THE APPOINTMENT OF PETE TRUEBNER TO HEAD UP THE SELECTIVE SERVICE PROSECUTIONS WAS A TREMENDOUS RELIEF TO A NUMBER OF OTHER ASSISTANT U.S. ATTORNEYS WHO HAD RECEIVED NUMEROUS DRAFT DEFERMENTS TO PURSUE FURTHER EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND WOULD HAVE HAD A DIFFICULT TIME RECONCILING FEELINGS OF GUILT WITH PROSECUTING THESE DRAFTEES.  AND PETER DID THIS THANKLESS TASK WITH COMPASSION AND FORESIGHT.  MANY OF THE YOUNG MEN WHO CAME TO HIS OFFICE WERE POOR, UNDER EDUCATED, HAVING NO IDEA OF WHAT THEY WERE DOING, AND OFTEN NOT WELL REPRESENTED.  WITH ALL OF THEM PETE TOOK THE TIME TO EXPLORE OTHER OPTIONS AND TO EXPLAIN THE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES OF CARRYING AROUND A FELONY CONVICTION FOR THE REST OF ONE’S LIFE. 

 LATER ON, HE WAS THE CHIEF GOVERNMENT LAWYER WHO PROSECUTED THE INFAMOUS JOANNE CHESIMARD IN TWO TRIALS.  ONE A MISTRIAL BECAUSE OF A HUNG JURY, AT THE FOLEY SQUARE COURTHOUSE.  CHESIMARD WAS ON THE MOST WANTED LIST FOR A COLD BLOODED KILLING OF A NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE OFFICER.  I DON’T REMEMBER WHICH TRIAL IT WAS BUT CHESIMARD AND HER CO-DEFENDANT, A MR. HILTON, CREATED SUCH A DISTURBANCE DURING TRIAL THEY WERE BANNED FROM THE COURTROOM TO A HOLDING PEN BEHIND THE COURTROOM EQUIPPED WITH SPEAKERS SO THEY COULD FOLLOW THE COURSE OF THE TRIAL.  I DON’T THINK THEY DID MUCH LISTENING, BECAUSE UNDER THE EVER WATCHFUL EYES OF THE U.S. MARSHAL’S SERVICE THE TWO DEFENDANTS WERE NEVERTHELESS ABLE TO CONCEIVE A CHILD IN THAT BACK ROOM DURING THE TRIAL.  I KID YOU NOT.  CHESIMARD LATER ESCAPED PRISON AND FLED TO CUBA.  JUST A MONTH AGO PETER WAS STRATEGIZING HOW PRESIDENT OBAMA COULD USE THE NEW RELATIONS WITH CUBA TO HAVE HER RETURNED TO CONFINEMENT IN THE UNITED STATES.

 WE SHOULD NOT FORGET WHAT AN EXCELLENT TRIAL LAWYER PETER WAS,  IN D.C., IN NEW YORK AND HERE IN CONNECTICUT WHERE A NUMBER OF STATE AND FEDERAL JUDGES HAVE TOLD ME OVER THE YEARS HOW HIGHLY THEY REGARDED HIM.  HE KNEW THE LAW; HE KNEW THE FACTS; HE WAS ALWAYS PREPARED; HE WAS ARTICULATE AND PERSUASIVE; HE WAS RESPECTFUL OF THE COURT AND HIS ADVERSARY, BUT HE WAS EVER PERSISTENT IN PROTECTING HIS CLIENTS’ RIGHTS AND ATTAINING THEIR GOALS.  HE CARRIED A “GRAVITAS” INTO THE COURTROOM WITH HIM THAT CAUGHT THE ATTENTION OF THE JUDGE, THE JURY AND ALL WHO WERE THERE.

 THE HIGH POINT OF PETER’S CAREER IN NEW YORK WAS HIS GOOD FORTUNE TO MEET JAN WRIGHT, AN SMU GRADUATE FROM DONIPHAN MISSOURI.  I WAS NOT AWARE OF HOW MUCH THE RELATIONSHIP HAD BLOSSOMED UNTIL ONE DAY HE PULLED ME ASIDE TO SAY, IN HIS INIMITABLE MANNER, “I’VE GOT THIS LITTLE MUSTANG FROM DALLAS THAT I LIKE, AND WANT YOU TO MEET.”  WELL, IT WAS PRETTY OBVIOUS TO ME THAT PETE HAD WON THE LOTTERY WITH JAN.  ON FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 1973 THEY WERE MARRIED AT THE UNITED NATIONS CHAPEL ON FIRST AVENUE, AND CONTINUED TO CELEBRATE EVERY FRIDAY THE 13^TH THAT CAME ALONG.

 I HAD ALSO MET THE LOVE OF MY LIFE, AND INTA VANAGELIS AND I WERE MARRIED ALSO IN 1973.  THE ADAMS AND TRUEBNERS CONTINUED TO MOVE IN TANDEM.  WE BOTH RELOCATED OUR YOUNG FAMILIES TO CONNECTICUT.  WE EACH HAD A SON AND THEN A DAUGHTER.  WE STAYED IN CLOSE TOUCH.  IN DARIEN PETER AND JAN SET THE GOLD STANDARD IN PARENTING AS EVIDENCED BY STEVE AND BLAIR.  FAIRFIELD COUNTY CAN BE A HARD ENVIRONMENT FOR CHILDREN NOT TO MAKE A MISSTEP, BUT THE TRUEBNER FAMILY SHOWED IT COULD BE DONE.

 PETER BECAME ONE OF DARIEN’S MOST POPULAR POLICE COMMISSIONERS, A JOB HE INITIALLY SOUGHT- AS HE ONCE CONFIDED TO ME- BECAUSE HE EXPECTED TO BE ISSUED A STANDARD POLICE FIREARM.  FORTUNATELY, THIS DID NOT COME TO PASS, ALTHOUGH HE THREATENED TO PUT ME IN CUFFS IF I EVER EXCEEDED 15 MPH IN DARIEN.

 SPEAKING OF POLICE, AT ONE TIME, UNBEKNOWNST TO ME, PETER SENT A CLIENT TO OUR HOUSE IN WILTON WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO KEEP HIS INVOLVEMENT OUT OF IT.  THE CLIENT’S NAME WAS SAL WHO WAS A RODEO RIDER ON THE CONNECTICUT RODEO CIRCUIT.  SAL WANTED TO RENT A HALF ACRE FENCED-IN AREA INCLUDING A SMALL STABLE FOR HIS TWO RODEO HORSES, COLORADO AND BUTTERSCOTCH.  SAL PROMISED TO FIX THE FENCE SO THE HORSES WOULD BE SECURE, TO FEED THEM TWICE A DAY, GENERALLY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR SAFETY AND UP KEEP, TO PLOW OUR DRIVEWAY, AND PAY A NOMINAL RENT.  DAZZLED BY THE PROSPECT OF GIVING OUR CHILDREN THE BENEFIT OF A SMALL HORSE FARM, I AGREED TO THE DEAL.

SAL WAS NOT AS GOOD AS HIS WORD.  THANK GOD HE DID FEED THE HORSES.  BUT RENT WAS SPORADIC, AT BEST, BLIZZARDS CAME AND WENT WITH NO SIGN OF SAL’S SNOW PLOW, AND WORST OF ALL, THE SUPPOSEDLY SECURE FENCE SAL HAD BUILT BELIED ITS DESCRIPTION AND COLORADO AND BUTTERSCOTCH LEFT THE PREMISES REGULARLY TO EXPLORE SOUTH WILTON.  ON ONE SUCH OCCASION, A VERY RAINY NIGHT, I WAS NEARLY ARRESTED WHEN A WOMAN REPORTED TO POLICE THE PRESENCE OF AN UNKNOWN TRESPASSER IN A RAINCOAT ON HER PROPERTY AT 11:00 IN THE EVENING HOLDING A CARROT IN HIS HAND AND SHOUTING “COME HOME COLORADO”.  THE POLICE LET ME OFF WITH WHAT IS KNOWN AS A VERBAL WARNING.  IT WAS YEARS BEFORE MR. TRUEBNER CONCEDED HIS INVOLVEMENT IN THIS CALAMITY.

 A FINAL THOUGHT, AS ANYONE WHO KNEW PETER WILL AGREE, THERE WAS NEVER A TIME WHEN ONE MET OR TALKED TO HIM THAT HE DID NOT SHARE AN AMUSING ANECDOTE OR FUNNY JOKE.  HE HAD A SEEMINGLY ENDLESS SUPPLY OF TIMELY AND ENTERTAINING STORIES.  THAT WAS PETER AND THAT WAS PETER TO THE END.

 I HAD THE HONOR AND PRIVILEGE OF KNOWING PETER A LONG TIME.  ALL OF US NOW SHARE IN THE TERRIBLE LOSS TO JAN AND THE WHOLE TRUEBNER FAMILY, A LOSS THAT IS ONLY COMMENSURATE WITH THE LOVE, AFFECTION AND APPRECIATION WE HAD FOR PETER AND FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE IN HIS LIFE.

GOD SPEED, PETER        

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from Chris Getman:    

I hope that there’s a fire extinguisher here, because this roast could get rather hot.

 I’m honored to have been asked to make some remarks about Peter and his  Yale connections. Given the huge outpouring of comments from teammates, classmates and friends I’m going to use quite a few references. I will also try to bring substance to the important role he played in our lives.

 Peter was an unusually intelligent and funny man. His staccato delivery and unique way with words were legendary

 Hank Hallas noted, “He always had a twinkle in his eye and a very very unique  verbal delivery which is impossible to describe.”  Jud Calkins wrote, ” There he  is, across the room, deeply engaged in conversation… drink clutched in one  hand, the other gesturing for emphasis. As he catches the sight of another  approaching friend, a broad grin flashes, a palm shoots forward and a throaty  greeting emerges from deep within-followed inevitably by a provocative  opening line. .He was an accomplished raconteur…and oh, that voice, rumbling  forth in a raspy way as if he’d just completed the last wind sprint of the day’s  practice.”

 Jud goes on to say ,”Sure he was known to crack a beer at the back of  the bus after a J.V. game, but hey, Coach Stu Clancy had told his boys after a  difficult loss that all they needed before the next encounter was a case of beer  and an oil change.” Ian Robertson put it this way, “We loved Peter for his  extraordinary  intelligence and indomitable spirit.”   Given his relatively small size as an interior lineman, he truly impressed his  teammates with his grit, determination, perseverance, optimism and courage.  

 When we think of Peter, we inevitably smile.  Joe Lieberman remembers fondly  his shifting into  his Mel Allen mode and doing the broadcast of the daily  whiffle ball game in the Pierson courtyard much to the amusement of all. I can  hear nowL Shift to gravely, staccato Truebner mode) It’s a beautiful day here in  the Pierson Courtyard as the Suns trail the Moons 3-2“Righthander Bill DeWitt  steps into the batter’s box, man on second, one out.  Fireballer Mike Arms great  name for a pitcher, eh? is on t5he mound for the Moons. De Witt, who is batting  a hefty 197 taps the plate and tugs at his belt. Arms takes the sign from Kramer,  toes the slab and fires a fastball high and tight.  De Witt swings and lofts a fly  ball to right center.  Hanser’s over, flips down the glasses and makes the catch.   

 Dan Moger, respectful of Hanser’s cannon, wisely stays at second  (Pause) I  don’t know why they have De Witt batting second.  He’s such a banjo hitter he  should take hitting lessons from Pete Seeger (Pause).Ladies and gentlemen  what a perfect day to crack a cold one, and that should be a Schaefer, the one  beer to have when you’re having more than one.  We all know that in Pierson  it’s a trip to the Dean’s office, if you DON’T have more than one, so hit the  fridge right now.  The next batter Drayton Valentine, who is third in the league  with a .322 average, steps in and glares at Arms.  The windup, the pitch, it’s a  line drive past a diving Chip Oldt into left.  Moger, who was off with the pitch  lopes around third and heads for home.  Left fielder, Yogi Kiernan fields it  cleanly and fires to Kramer.  Bang Bang, he’s safe! We’re tied at three.  It’s  Schaefer time!!!!    Pete Putzel told the story of his going after a noted bridge player for some sort  of serious white collar crime while in the U.S. Attorney’s office.. After defense  brought in multiple high powered witnesses who testified that bridge is a game  of honesty and integrity and that his client would never cheat on anything, the  Judge asked Peter if he had any closing remarks. Without missing a beat he  responded, (shift to Truebner mode)“Your honor, the Government passes.” He  was very quick on his feet.   Ed Whitcraft recalls himself, Mit Massie and Peter being summoned to  Freshman Dean Harold Whiteman’s office and being told, “Gentlemen, there is a  lot of muddy water coming out of 346 Wright Hall.”  Ed went on to say that after  being with Truebs for three years at Hotchkiss and two at Yale, “ I had to get  married to get rid of him.”  

  Both Ed and Jeff Collinson, another roommate, recalled the time when Peter  went to get ice for one of their legendary whiskey sour parties. He got the ice in  his laundry bag and dumped both it and a pair of sweaty football socks into the  vat.  Jeff noted that they added an extra kick to the famously potent mixture. No pun intended.   In the pre-mooning era, Peter proudly displayed his spanking new Brooks  Brothers blue and white striped boxers to the Pierson dining hall on parents’  week-end.  That earned him a direct, do not pass go, six month stint in the  Marine Corps.  I pity his poor drill instructor who must have known that he was  never  going  to break an extraordinarily intelligent and determined recruit. No  way.   Throughout his life we was a strong defender of the downtrodden and a  dexterously  vocal critic of the bloviated.  This was obvious when he became  counsellor to Benny Sherman, an alcoholic ice cream salesman also known as  The Humpty Dumpty man.  Inevitably, a hung over “Dump” would show up at  the corner of High and Elm right below 346 Wright fifteen minutes after Kelly, the Good Humor man had arrived and park behind him  Naturally, given his  favorable location, Kelly would attract most of the traffic. Peter would  consistently get in Dump’s face, telling him, (shift to Truebner mode) “Benny, if  you don’t get up earlier and stay off the sauce, you’re toast”. He even tried to  organize the freshmen to boycott Good Humor and buy Humpty Dumpty. 

 Sadly  it was to no avail.  Poking fun at Yale’s self-inflated image, he was published in  Time Magazine noting that he had aced an important modern history current  events test taught by a famous professor simply by reading Time.   His verbal dexterity and one liners were legendary. One “hands of a pedophile”   described a paddle player who was quick at the net. There are too many  others to mention.   I remember him saying to a recent Yale football player who was describing the  year around commitment one needs to make now in order to play college  football (shift to Truebner mode) “hell when we were reporting for early ball,  we’d throw the beer can  and the cigarette butt out the window at Exit 59 on  the Merritt Parkway.”     I can imagine him as a defense lawyer saying, ( shift to Truebner mode )“Your  honor, I know that Jose was in the room at the time of the incident, but he  couldn’t possibly have done it because he wouldn’t have had time to sharpen  the axe.”   Because of his gruff and sardonic manner, Peter was also often the recipient of  reciprocal barbs, which he graciously received. 

  I report two instances from the  audited minutes of our class of 1964 golf outings.     “Some smirks arose from those on the first tee as Sam Francis, proclaimed  himself a  23 handicap and then launched a huge drive right down the middle of  the fairway barely missing Truebner who was lining up for his third shot.”    Or “Truebner Wins Grand Slam at “64 Outing.”  “ Peter Truebner recently  received the coveted Gland Slam at the Class of 1964’s semi-annual golf outing.  Truebner was recognized for being farthest from the pin, closest to the tee,  taking the  most strokes  to the fairway and shortest putt missed. (shift to  Truebner mode)” I’m ecstatic,” he beamed.  “ I’ve been playing sports all of my  life  and this is the biggest honor I’ve ever received.

 Given the other talent out  there with similar skills, this is a unique award. My thanks to the Committee  which made this possible.”   There’s so much more to mention which time does not permit.  Suffice it to say  that Truebs was a funny, loyal, intelligent, witty and  compassionate man.  It  was a privilege for me to have been his friend for almost fifty-five years.   As he liked to say, (shift to Truebner mode) “The car was in the garage the  entire time.”   

  from Jon Rose:    

The remembrances for Pete Truebner brought back distant memories, and at the same time made me wonder about the fate which prematurely takes from us a man who obviously brought such joy to so many.

 While Pete and I both attended Hotchkiss and Yale, I never had the good fortune to become his close friend as did several who spoke so eloquently at his service last Friday. I suppose in those years Pete and I would have been placed at the opposite ends of the good conduct medal spectrum. As a class officer, I was sworn to report to the student council all evil-doers who committed the terrible crime of smoking on campus (this was even before the 1964Surgeon General's report).  In contrast Truebs reveled in thumbing his nose at any would-be authority figure--faculty member or student. His nickname for me was "Granny" which he claimed he derived from the grey tufts of material sticking out from my earmuffs. i think that was just an excuse, but the nickname stuck with me for our four years on the Hill.

 Tag Adams had it about right about the Hotchkiss experience in those years for a number of people. In those years for too many it was a place where fun went to die. I think Truebs and many of his friends, Tag, Mit Adams, and Ed Whitcraft found it so at the time. We were warned by the opening speech of our Headmaster, Tom Chappell: "Some will tell you that these will be the happiest years of your life. Do Not Believe Them!."

I cannot top the story about "mooning" the Pearson dining hall. However, our senior year I do recall Truebs as a ringleader in constructing overnight a brick wall across the long Main Corridor  effectively blocking access to the Dining hall for breakfast. (The bricks were temptingly piled for a constructing project adjacent to the main building). When the headmaster arrived and was blockaded, he did not miss a beat. "He loudly announced" no breakfast until each of you takes a brick back where it belongs.

 As you have read, Truebs survived both Hotchkiss and Yale to contribute much to his family, his community and his friends. We shall miss him in so many ways. 

 

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from Hank Hallas:    

     Personal remembrances of Peter Truebner “Truebs”, as many of us called him, was a quintessential “YOUGUY”. He landed at Yale and was quickly embroiled with a grand collection of excellent guards on the 1959 Undefeated Freshman Football Team. He lacked size, abilty and speed but had an unbelievable amount of grit and determination. Despite his physical limitations he stuck out Freshman ball and graduated to face even tougher odds with the varsity on the 1960 Undefeated squad. Many of freshman teammates saw the handwriting on the wall and walked away. Not “Truebs”. He shared that delicious insanity shared by other “YOUGUYS” that some day our talent would prevail and we would carry the Yale football torch forward onto victory. All “YOUGUYS” and many non “YOUGUYS” from that era loved and respected “Truebs”. Somehow we were all in that same lifeboat we believed was a mighty battleship.

My first encounter with him was in a contest at Hotchkiss vs. my Loomis football squad in the fall of 1958. I heard his voice first and suspected Hotchkiss had maniac in the line and that it would be a long hard day on the gridiron. Both conclusions turned out to be true. We shared several classes and friends at Yale and soon discovered that behind the bravado was a brilliant and thoroughly charming young man usually “hell on wheels”! He always had a twinkle in his eye and a very very unique verbal delivery which is impossible to describe. “Truebs” hit the same brick wall many “YOUGUYS” did in the fall of 1960. I recall he eventually decided he would remake the U.S. Marine Corp and I recall feeling sorry for his drill instructor because no Marine that I knew could match his intelligence, his grit, his determination. I am sure the Corp is a better place because of him.

“Truebs” made one huge contribution to Yale football, I don’t recall whether it was sophomore or junior year but he had taught himself how to kick “onside kicks” and had the brass to convince “Ollie” that he could do it and that it would work. And it did! “Truebs” was not a traditionally gifted kicker of punts, extra punts or such. But NO ONE could match his specialty, the “onside kick”. My last interaction with ‘Truebs” was at Mory’s during the mini