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Remembering Peter Weiss
Peter Weiss of the NWS's Strategic Planning and Policy (SPP) Office died July 25, 2005.
"He was deeply passionate and demonstrated a strong commitment to public service, " Brig. Gen. D.L. Johnson, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), NWS Director, wrote in a message to all NWS employees following Weiss' death. "Those of us who enjoy free, and timely weather, water, and climate information owe our thanks to the work of Peter Weiss," said Johnson. Weiss is remembered as a champion for open access to government data, one of the key developers of NOAA's Partnership Policy... and so much more.
Never shy to voice his knowledge and opinions, Weiss' colleagues remember his "big personality" and equally "big voice." He started his federal career, appropriately, in 1985 as a Senior Policy Analyst/Attorney in the Advocacy Office of the Small Business Administration–an organization known as "the voice for small business in the Federal government." As his career grew, so did Weiss' expert voice on public rights to government data.
"Peter authored the OMB [Office of Management and Budget] circular that spells out federal policy for managing government information making him the expert on the subject," said colleague and friend Ed Johnson, SPP Office Director. Weiss worked at OMB from 1991 until joining NOAA's NWS and the SPP in March 2000.
"Peter was deeply passionate about public service, and worked tirelessly to ensure the resolution of many domestic and international data policy issues," Ed Johnson said. "He was committed to open and unrestricted access to government information, and saw this as the foundation for a healthy public/private partnership within the weather forecasting community. He championed NOAA's partnership policy that cements NOAA's commitment to open and unrestricted access to our environmental information. In our NWS community, many called on him for help in interpreting policy, then came to know him as a friend as well."
In addition to a legacy of federal service, colleagues, friends, and family gathering at a July 30 standing-room only memorial service in Silver Spring, MD, heard eulogies full of colorful facts about a colorful character, a man of the world, a man one didn't forget upon meeting. Weiss was described as "a consumer of counter culture" and someone with his finger on the pulse of "what was different." His 1973 degree from Columbia University was in Sanskrit, but he followed this with a law degree from the Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law. His personal pursuits included beekeeping and gardening. His lifelong commitment to progressive causes introduced him to lifelong friends who shared in his activism. He was deeply involved and committed to the Buddhist philosophy and way of life. In spring 2005, he traveled to Sri Lanka to assist in post-Tsunami recovery efforts.
Professionally and personally, Peter traveled the world. He represented NOAA on international data rights at World Meteorological Organization meetings. His wife Laura Steinberg, daughter Alison, and son Robin traveled and explored places such as Germany, Indonesia, India, Tibet, China, and Mexico together.
"Peter devoted his life to serving others. He was a good American and citizen of the world," said Gen. Johnson. "He will be missed."
Donations in memory of Peter Weiss may be made to the following organizations:
The Washington Post has a brief obituary and guestbook online here.
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