Andrew Peter Batson of Norwich, Vermont died on May 15, 2014.

He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on Dec. 24, 1927 to Oscar V. Batson, MD and Eleanor H. (Neumann) Batson. The following summer, his family moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Peter attended Friends' Select School and the University of Pennsylvania, graduating with Honors in Zoology.

In college, his long-term friendship with Anna Luise Ehrich blossomed into romance. They married on June 14, 1949. That fall, Peter began medical school at the University of Pennsylvania. Peter was dyslexic, so Anna read his medical texts aloud to him. Peter received his MD in June 1953 and received his medical license in September 1954.

After his internship at Philadelphia General Hospital, Peter joined the US Air Force as a First Lieutenant. The Air Force assigned him to the Ophthalmology Department of Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania for residency training. Peter then moved with his family to Japan for five years where he worked as an Ophthalmologist at the USAF Hospital, Tachikawa Japan. He and Anna enjoyed learning Japanese and touring the country. When transferred to Westover Air Force Base, Massachusetts, Peter served as Ophthalmologist, Chief of Flight Medicine, Chief of Hospital Services, Medical Officer assigned to Accident Investigation (for both Aircraft and Motor Vehicle), Interim Hospital Commander and Wing Surgeon.

Next he was sent to Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam, as Chief of Hospital Services 483rd USAF Hospital and Commander 26th Aeromedical Staging Flight, the only tour without his family. After Vietnam, he moved with his family to Ching Chuan Kang Air Base, Taiwan where he continued to fly in and out of Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia. He then returned to Westover Air Force Base followed by the Wright-Patterson Medical Center, in Ohio. Along the way, Peter was certified by The American Board of Ophthalmology.
His military awards included: Meritorious Service Medal, 1974 with a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, 1976, Air Medal, 1971. Air Force Commendation Medal, 1970, National Defense Service Medal, 1961, Vietnam Service Medal, with four Bronze Stars, 1970-1973, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, 1970-1973, Honorary Flight Surgeon, Republic of China Air Force 1972, Honorary Staff Member, Republic of China, Air Force General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, 1964.

As a Flight Surgeon Peter particularly loved "stick time" in the rear seat of a T-33 and "wheel time" in Gooney Birds (C-47s). The C-130 was his favorite for patient evacuation. Peter was fascinated by the challenges of aircraft and motor vehicle accident investigations. As a base surgeon he was always concerned with food service, water supply and sewage disposal, on and off base.

In the Air Force, Peter cared deeply about all he met - officer and enlisted, military and civilian. He often went the extra distance to help a student or enlisted medical personnel.

When he retired from the Air Force in August 1976, Peter and Anna moved to Norwich and opened an ophthalmology office in Lebanon. Over the next 22 years, Peter cared for thousands of people in the Upper Valley. He was supported in his practice by a caring and talented staff that included Anna as office manager.

Peter enjoyed the practice and teaching of medicine, especially ophthalmology. He taught technicians, nurses, physician assistants, interns and residents. Helping patients was his passion.

In Norwich, Peter joined the American Legion Post 8, often serving on the executive board, including time as Post Commander. He was still serving as Vice Commander when he died. He was passionate about installing flags along Main Street and at the veterans' graves on Memorial Day.

In retirement, Peter enjoyed traveling the United States by car and watching the wildlife at his home, the Aerie.

Peter was predeceased by his brother James, his parents and granddaughter Jackie Jones.

He is survived by family he cherished, especially the love of his life and wife of almost 65 years, Anna. Other family members include their sons, Eric and James, his daughters-in-law, Lois and Elizabeth, his brother-in-law William Ehrich, his six grand-children Joshua, Janeth, Micaela, Shoshana, Rhiannon and Ethan, a great-granddaughter, Mckenna Farnsworth, the husbands of his granddaughters, two foster children, Andy Grout and Anh-Dao Tran, plus cousins, nieces, nephews. Each of these people, and many others, are thankful for Peter's love and influence in their lives.

Friends are invited to join the family to honor Peter's life at the American Legion Hall in Norwich at 5:30 pm on Monday, May 19, 2014. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (www.vvmf.org).