With profound sadness, we announce the death of Dr. Peter Neil Schweitzer on January 28, 2025, in Leesburg, Virginia. He fought a long, hard battle against Stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer for more than 4 years. Peter was a man of strong, abiding faith in God and was loved and admired by everyone.

Peter was considered by many to be a quintessential Renaissance Man. Handsome, witty and charming; he was a brilliant and gifted scientist, scholar and musician. He was a published author in many disciplines from micropaleontology to Medieval literature. Peter started playing piano at age 5, memorizing and performing many classical pieces throughout his life.  He also played flute and piccolo.  His musical career included performing with the Loudoun Lyric Opera and culminated as the musical director for St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church of Leesburg, Virginia.

Born in Takoma Park, Maryland on January 18, 1957, Peter was the third child of Walter (Gary) and Margaret (Frostic) Schweitzer.  Peter and his family enjoyed an active life of travel and adventure. Peter grew up in Aspen Hill, MD graduating from Robert E. Peary High School (1975).  He earned his B.S. degree in Geology from the University of Maryland in 1979. During his sophomore year, he met his future wife, Sue, in a class in Old English. They married in 1980 and moved to Lawrence, Kansas where he pursued an M.S. degree in Geology (1986). From there they moved to Massachusetts where he earned a Ph.D. in Oceanography from M.I.T. (Joint program with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, 1989).

They were blessed with two beautiful children, Jennifer and William.

Peter's scientific research included work in micropaleontology, evolutionary studies, climate issues and computers. While attending M.I.T., he worked on projects with Stephen Jay Gould at Harvard. He was a software developer at MicroWay, Inc. Peter joined the U.S. Geological Survey staff in 1991.  His contributions in the area of data creation, specifically metadata, were greatly valued and used today by the scientific community.  Peter was selected as the inaugural recipient of the Energy and Mineral Resources Mission Area Data Innovation Award.

Throughout his life, Peter was devoted to his faith in God and continually sought opportunities to serve through his music and his encouragement of others around him.

Peter is survived by his wife, Susan (Eckert) and their children Jennifer (Brad) and William.  He also leaves behind his sister Elaine (Jim), brother Karl (Sue), many cousins, nieces and nephews, brothers and sisters in-law and the church communities of St. Gabriel's and St. James, the USGS and MBL staff and all his beloved friends and cats.

The funeral will be held at St. James Episcopal Church in downtown Leesburg, Virginia at 10:30 a.m. on February 15, 2025, followed by light refreshments at the nearby Senior Center.  In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church.