Exeter, N.H. — Peter Hughes Richardson of Exeter, formerly of Weston, Mass., and Norwich, Vt., passed suddenly on Saturday, March 12, 2016. Born on May 28, 1924 in Boston, Richardson graduated from MIT in 1948 after service in the paratroopers in the 82nd Airborne Division in France in 1945. He taught science and math in high school (and built a ski jump) until he was recruited back to the MIT Admissions Office in 1964. He became the Director in 1972 and served in that role until he retired in 1984.

After he retired from MIT, he directed the Admissions Office at the Vermont Law School for three years. In the subsequent decades he translated his lifelong love of the outdoors and determination to leave his global campsite better than he found it into activities too numerous to count but which include the Connecticut River Watershed, the Appalachian Trail Conference, and the Exeter Conservation Commission where he identified conservation land in Exeter and cared for the Exeter River. He also created a trail in the woods around his retirement community in Exeter that was named Pete’s Way in a ceremony in 2013.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Corinne (Keenie) Smith Richardson; and his children, Marcie, Chris, Peter, and John. He adored his 12 grandchildren most of whom he taught to ski, and took hiking where he educated them about water bars—a trail construction feature that is used to prevent erosion on cleared paths through woodland. And then there were the 10 great grandchildren who greatly enriched his final years. He was predeceased by his son Charley.

If you choose to, please send memorial donations to either Earth Justice or the Appalachian Mountain Club. A celebration of Pete’s life is being planned.