Interview With Mr. Pete Washburn

Mr. Peter Washburn

Hometown: Andover, MA

Interview by: Inés Eisenhour ‘19

• What is your idea of perfect happiness? Being happy at the end of the day, knowing that you were kind and did your work to the best of your abilities.

• What is your most marked characteristic? People have said that I seem to like everyone and am always happy.

• What do you consider your greatest achievement(s)? My family, choosing to be a teacher, which I think happens to be an honorable career. Teaching to me happens all the time, both in and out of the classroom.

• What is your greatest fear? Losing a child.

• Which historical figure do you most identify with? I don’t. I don’t like to look back or to dwell on the past.

• Which living person do you most admire? My wife; I find it incredible that she always puts us [the family] before herself.

• Who are your heroes in real life? My wife, people who give selflessly of themselves, men and women in positions of service.

• What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? Laziness, my tendency to procrastinate. Kit always encourages me to do things ahead of time, and I realize she is right when those things pile up.

• What is the trait you most deplore in others? Dishonesty or not living up to their abilities, which ultimately means they are being dishonest with themselves.

• What it is that you most dislike? I don’t see much use in hating things, it doesn’t get you anywhere.

• What is your greatest extravagance? Every time my wife got a child, I got a boat. I think it’s good for people to have toys!

• What is your favorite journey? While I think a journey does not end when you arrive at the destination, I love travelling to the island in Maine where I spend time with my family.

• What do you consider the most overrated virtue? Physical appearance. I think that good people can be determined by having a blindfolded conversation., I think superficial judgement is not a good indicator of the quality of person someone is.

• Which words or phrases do you most overuse? I don’t know, someone would have to tell me.

• What is your greatest regret? There are times I could have been a better parent. Every day there’s someone I feel that I could treat more kindly.

• What is your current state of mind? Happy, trying not to worry about the things I have no control over.

• When and where were you happiest? Probably on the water, but I could say right here and right now.

• If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be? To bring them closer, wave a magic wand and keep them from ever suffering.

• What is your most treasured possession? My wife and family.

• What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery? Losing someone too soon.

• Where would you like to live? Somewhere warm, close to my family, but looking ahead I’m not sure specifically where.

• What is your favorite occupation? Teaching, facilitating learning. I think there are riches to be gained from teaching.

• What is the quality you most enjoy in a friend? The ability to be themselves and be comfortable doing so.

• What are your favorite names? I used them all!

• What is your motto? Essentially, “Do your best, and have no regrets”.

Image courtesy of Abi Dannheim ’19.