Peter M. Grosz has passed away...

[Cigogne]

Just received word that Peter M. Grosz has passed away. He has suffered bouts with lung cancer and more recently brain tumors. Am hoping this is a rumor but don't think so this time. Can anyone confirm?

[duedicoppe]

Unfortunately, I received the same news.
It's a very sad day.
Paolo

[StephenLawson]

Pete is gone. I just heard from Greg. A black day for any who knew him. Blue Skies Pete.

[Cigogne]

Well, what a reunion he is having with all of his aviation comrades who have passed on. He can finally get all of those answers he's been missing about the small and large details.

It is sad for me because we had been working on a number of projects together. The latest was a history of Daimler aircraft of WWI. Great photos too! We will be publishing it in two parts.

I will be preparing now a memorial tribute piece design for OTF as well as a front cover tribute.

[David_Layton]

I am deeply saddened by this.

I had a few very memorable conversations with Pete at OTF seminars. A couple I can easily recall. In Phoenix, I asked about women at the front, as in the Blue Max and that led to a conversation about how Pete had met the test pilot for the Dornier R plane, the one with the big prop powered by several engines. He met the pilot at a Quaker meeting in New Jersey in the 1960's. The veteren's conversation about the flying this plane led to a story about the veteren meeting a superior officer in a brothel and the proper protocol for such a situation. In Dayton, I made the mistake of quoting a then recently published book on the Fokker DrI which stated that the Eindecker was derived from the Morane monoplane. This led to a very long and passionate lecture on how Fokker did not copy anyone and that the Eindecker was superior; the Spin being the first truly safe aircraft in the German service; and how Fokker with guts and genious created his company at a very early age. I felt like a student who, missing the answer, becomes the sole attention of the teacher's lecture and makes a connection with the teacher.

I will truly miss him. However, we all have to be thankful for his passion and the work he was able to publish. Pete did more for German and Austrian aviation than any other historian.

Now, we are entering a new phase in historical research. Now that Pete is gone, there are very few researchers left who have actually met the individuals who made the history.

Now he knows what colors the aircraft were painted! God bless you, Pete!

[josef scott]

Terrible news and an irreplaceable loss. Thankfully Peter shared his vast knowledge with us all. Peace be with him.

[Kosh]

Sad news indeed. Based on the books I have authored by him, he semed to be a very, very knowledgeable guy.

[agblume]

Yes a very sad day indeed to lose such a good friend of forty years. I spoke with Lillian Grosz yesterday to express my condolences and asked what charity should donations be sent to in his name. She said the Princeton Friend's House, Building Fund, 470 Quaker Road, Princeton, NJ 08540. agblume

[karrart]

It's like a little piece of me died. I've been devouring his books and articles since I was kid- I sort of grew up with Peter.
40 years ago I'd see his name on a book or article and think "Oh Boy! This is going to be good!". That still holds true.
It's the end of an era.
Robert Karr
www.karrart.com

[Laserlloyd]

Wow, I didn't what to hear that. Yes, in deed what a great loss to us all. I have never meet Peter but I looked at a lot Peter's work and had a great appreciation for his work.

I am grateful to have read his words and they will continue his voice for many decades to come. Thanks Peter for you love of aviation. God speed and now you will know all the unanswered questions that we all have.

Cigogne:

I look forward in reading about him, If you can please pass on that he will be missed but his work still lives on.

Lloyd...