Peter W. Haubrich

Wilder, VT - Our dad, Peter Haubrich/Grampa/Papa Peter/Muck/Sweet Pete, age 85, of Wilder, Vermont, passed away on June 15, 2026, after a brief hospice stay. We are so grateful to the Jack Byrne Center for providing him peace and comfort in his final days, and for allowing his family and friends (and his chocolate lab, Zoe) to be with him.

Dad was born on October 13, 1940, to Wilson and Janet (Fletcher) Haubrich in Claremont, New Hampshire. As a young man, he found joy in horseback riding, participating in the GMHA 100-mile ride several times. He also enjoyed tinkering with just about anything, but especially his Model A and Model T Fords, something he would continue to do all his life. Peter also engaged in more than a little good-natured tomfoolery with his friends and cousins, occasionally at the expense of his adoring sister, Sara. He was an expert skunk wrangler in his teens, but as a small boy he was not so good at catching Sara as she rode her tricycle down a flight of stairs (at Dad’s suggestion).

As a teenager, Dad met and fell in love with our mom, Gail Leslie—in the sawdust pile at GMHA—and their young romance grew into a lifelong partnership. Dad and Mom built a beautiful life together and were married for 53 years, raising the three of us: Heather, Mindi, and Jeffrey. Whether dairy farming in his early years—building and breeding a prized Holstein herd—running his bookkeeping business with clients all over the Upper Valley well into his later years, performing pro bono work for local nonprofits, or serving on many boards and community organizations, Dad always kept his family at the center of his life. He loved spending quiet time with one or two family members as well as attending large family gatherings with multiple generations. He welcomed our spouses Bud, Erik, and Lori into the family as his own and treasured the relationships he shared with them. He loved hearing about all the adventures of his grandchildren Clay, Giana, Calli, Joseph, and Natalia, and he was incredibly proud of each of them. Spending holidays with Sara, Lester, David, Judith, and Emmi was especially important to him. He was also known to drop whatever he was doing, hop into his car and pay a visit to friends from his past who lived across the state.

Dad will be remembered for the sparkle in his eye, his quick and dry wit, and his balanced approach to life. He lived simply, to the extent that one can, and modeled acceptance, often reminding others to “live and let live.” He always had a kind word, a cautionary tale, or a helpful slogan to share with those he cared about. If you were sitting next to him at any time or talking about almost any topic, you were as likely as not to be regaled with an anecdote related to the subject at hand. Whether remembering that time that his favorite tractor… or how his hired man was down at the… or once when one or more of his kids or grandkids got into… Peter could always bring the best of his experiences to life in vivid color. If you had something that needed fixing, he had the tool and the trick that would make it easier. And if you needed a cup of coffee or a bubbly water, there was always a pot at the ready or a cold can in the fridge waiting to be shared.

Dad will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him, but his legacy of unconditional love, open-mindedness, and mischief will live on in all of us.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Upper Valley in Norwich, Vermont, on July 10 at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to:

Alcoholics Anonymous, Turning Point Clubhouse of Wilder, Vermont , or SHARe (Supporting and Helping Asylees and Refugees in the Upper Connecticut River Valley of Vermont and New Hampshire).

Knight Funeral Home of White River Junction, VT has been entrusted with arrangements and condolences may be made in an online guestbook at www.knightfuneralhomes.com.