Peter Bernd Lederman

Peter B. Lederman, PhD, PE of New Providence New Jersey passed away June 9, 2020, at the age of 88 years of natural causes after a two year degenerative lung disease. Dr. Lederman died at home, as was his desire, with his wife, Susan Lederman (nee Sturc) at his side. His children, Stuart Lederman of Madison, New Jersey, and his daughter, Ellen Lederman, of Zurich, Switzerland, were also with him shortly before his death. In addition, he is survived by his son-in-law Thom LeFevre, and his three granddaughters: Jordan and Emerson Lederman and Emma LeFevre

Peter Lederman led an incredible life. He was born in Weimar, Germany in 1931 and lived briefly in Holland after his father lost his position with the German regional government because of the anti-Jewish Laws. They moved back to Germany after a short time and after living through Kristalnacht and the internment of his father in Buchenwald, he and his parents escaped Germany, eventually settling in the US. Peter was all in as an American: he sold War Bonds at PS 99; rose to Eagle Scout; and served in the Army during the Korean conflict (1953 to 1955). He then received a Commission in the US Navy reserves, in the “Research Reserve”, until 1975 retiring as a Lieutenant Commander (of course the only boat he commanded was a sail boat).

Peter studied at the University of Michigan and received his PhD in Chemical Engineering. It was at Michigan where he made his best decision ever, courting and convincing a bright attractive younger woman, Susan Lederman (nee Sturc) from Forest Hills, Queens, to take him on as a lifelong project. They were married for over 62 years with tons of adventure.

Peter worked for many companies including: Shell and Esso as a Chemical Engineer; as Vice President for Research Cotrell; and, as a Vice President for Roy F. Weston, a large Environmental Engineering firm. His academic positions included: being a Lecturer at the University of Michigan; an Associate Professor at the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn (now NYU); Director of the Center for Environmental Engineering at NJIT retiring in 2000; and teaching environmental engineering in Bangkok. Peter worked at the EPA in its infancy as director of its Industrial Hazardous Waste Treatment Laboratory. He also headed the National Academy of Sciences Committee on the destruction of the US stockpile of chemical weapons. That last “job” took him to, among other places, the Johnson Atoll. When last counted, Peter had published over 92 papers.. He co-authored several patents and was a licensed Professional Engineer in at least 30 states. Somehow, he was both a Kentucky Colonel and an Admiral in the Kentucky Navy. He was also Honored by the USEPA (Silver Medal for Superior Service), AICHE (Service to Society Award), the University of Michigan, College of Engineering (Distinguished Alumni Award), the National Academies, and the Academy of Environmental Engineers.

Dr. Lederman was active in the Jewish, local and professional communities. He served on the Board of Temple Sinai of Summit from 1967 through 1983 and was President from 1979 to 1981 and only retired a few months ago as the Chair of its Audit Committee. He had been active in the American Institute of Chemical Engineers since his days as a student, serving in a variety of positions including as a Member of its Board and Chair of its Foundation. Until his death he served on the Board of Directors of the Science History Institute and the Science Advisory Board of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. In his last years he was the Chair of the Old Guard of Summit’s “timely topics” Committee. He was ahead of his time establishing the first recycling program in New Providence in the 1960’s

Early in his career he promoted women, way before it was fashionable. At American Institute of Chemical Engineers and the Chemical Heritage Foundation he helped develop programs for young engineers and women.

In addition to passing on his view that one should be involved in the community and in professional organizations, he passed on his love of food (he could tell you almost every meal he had, in which of the 50 states or in which city around the world). He loved music and once got to conduct the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra at Giralda Farms. He made the transition to Grandfather, changing his granddaughters’ diapers, on the basis that it was just materials balance. He rejoiced at the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends and colleagues.

Gifts in his memory should be given to

https://leadersandbest.umich.edu/find/#!/give/basket/fund/729748

G. Brymer Williams Student Aid Fund – 729748. Established to honor Chemical Engineering Professor G. Brymer Williams, this endowed fund supports undergraduate students with financial need who are enrolled to study chemical engineering in the College of Engineering. Or alternatively to the Temple Sinai Endowment Fund, 208 Summit Avenue, Summit New Jersey 07901. https://www.templesinainj.org/endowments