Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1963 Lucky Bag:

PETER JOHN VERMAIRE

Pete came to the Naval Academy after a year at Michigan State University. He has been a recipient of numerous left handed salutes and multitudes of pennies, not only because of his striking resemblance to the “God of 2.5,” but because of his often given aid to struggling classmates. Though “Verm” has maintained an outstanding academic average, standing in the top of his class, he has still found time to excel in athletics, earning his “N-star” for varsity swimming during his youngster year, and also taking an active part in the LOG and N-Club activities. With his hard working and conscientious outlook on life, Pete’s demonstrated abilities in academics and leadership can only lead to a great future for him, whatever his endeavors.

Loss

Pete was lost on October 23, 1974 when the A-4 Skyhawk he was piloting crashed into the Chesapeake Bay near Patuxent River, Maryland. He was a student at the test pilot school.

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

In March, 1958, Peter received a commendation from the National Merit Scholarship. He graduated from Central High School that June. Student council, usher, C-club, National Honor Society, swim team captain,

Vice president of Senior High Junior Red Cross, Ram’s Jet Club. Class Prophecy: Our arithmetic scholar is now a teacher, not an engineer.

He was third on Representative Gerald R. Ford’s list for the Naval Academy in 1958.

He received a grant to attend Michigan State University. In June 1959, he was a backstroker on the swim team and won a Porpoise award and frosh numerals. He was expected to win the freshman scholarship award with his perfect 4.0 record in the fall and winter terms. He had a perfect 4.0 record in the spring and summer terms. He studied mathematical and physical sciences.

He received Ford’s principal appointment to the Naval Academy in July 1959.

At graduation ranking No. 3 overall, Peter received a wrist watch from the American Bar Association for the law class and the Admiral William S. Sims Memorial Award for the leadership class.

He then attended The University of Michigan to study graduate math and in astronautical engineering.

He married Joan TenHoor on August 22, 1964, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids.

In June 1965, Peter was personal escort to astronauts James McDivitt and Edward White when they visited the University of Michigan campus.

He next was transferred to the Air Force Base at Colorado Springs. He won his silver pilot wings in April 1968 at Webb Air Force Base in Texas.

During his career, he served in Korea, Vietnam, and Okinawa.

Peter’s mother Selma was the principal at Ottawa Hills Elementary School. When Peter was three, his father, a mining engineer, died in Chili.

Pete was captain of the swim team¹ his 1/c year.

He was an instructor in Aeronautics at the United States Air Force Academy for the 1973-1974 school year.

Pete was survived by his wife, Joan, and their children Karen and Alexander. (Information from January-February 1975 issue of Shipmate.) He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Photographs

From his 1958 high school yearbook

From his 1958 high school yearbook

From his 1958 high school yearbook

From his 1958 high school yearbook

From The Grand Rapids Press on February 25, 1958

From The Grand Rapids Press on May 19, 1958

From The Grand Rapids Press on June 1, 1959

From The Grand Rapids Press on July 4, 1959

From The Grand Rapids Press on June 4, 1963

From The Grand Rapids Press on April 21, 1968

References