In Memory Of
Peter H. Schiff
1929
2023
Peter H. Schiff
July 8, 1929 — November 1, 2023
Peter H. Schiff, 94, of Loudonville, NY, passed away peacefully on November 1, 2023.
Born in Berlin, Germany, on July 8, 1929, Peter came to the U.S. with his family in 1936 as a stateless refugee and went on to lead an extraordinary life. After graduating from New Rochelle High School in 1947, he earned a B.A. in Government at Columbia College, and then completed Harvard Law School. He served in the U.S. Army in Korea before starting his 63-year legal career. He first worked for the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, DC and then rose through the ranks at the Federal Power Commission to become Solicitor. In 1971, Peter came to Albany to be General Counsel to the New York State Public Service Commission, and then held leadership positions from 1981-2010 at the New York State Department of Law, Appeals and Opinions Division, where he volunteered for ten years after his retirement. Peter argued in countless state and federal courts, including in landmark cases at the U.S. Supreme Court. Among his professional awards was the 2010 New York State Bar Association's Excellence in Public Service Award that recognized Peter for "advancing the public interest, promoting a more diverse workforce, and shaping the careers of some of our most dedicated public servants" and for being "a master teacher on brief writing and the rigors of oral argument, as well as a sharp and creative force in legal analysis."
Peter was cherished as a loving and wise husband, father, stepfather, grandfather, uncle, cousin, friend and professional colleague. He was a rock, always there when needed, always caring and generous, honest and true. He sent birthday cards and gifts to everyone in his extended family every year, was always present for family celebrations, and baked amazing cheesecakes for parties. He adored puns, good meals and conversation with family and friends, Klondike bars, lap swimming, playing tennis and squash, the Yankees, live theatre, history and biography books, travelling the world, and snorkeling in the Caribbean.
Peter was predeceased by his father Frederick "Fritz" Schiff, MD, and his mother Hildegard Caro Schiff, his older brothers Frank Schiff (Erika) and Ray Schiff (Ann), and his first wife, Toni Schiff.
Peter is survived by his beloved wife of thirty-seven years, Nancy Willie-Schiff; daughter Nancy Schiff (Ben Cohen) of Boston, MA; son Thomas Schiff (Amy Altwarg) of Florence, MA; stepson Zeth Willie (Stephanie Cabrera) of Manhattan; stepdaughter Mara Null (James) of Manhattan; stepson Garth Pittman (Katie) and stepdaughter Kate Dimitre (Thomas) of Ashland, OR; nephew Robert Schiff of Washington, DC; nephew Donald Schiff of Beaverton, OR; niece Joan Schiff of Philadelphia, PA; and nine grandchildren.
A memorial service to celebrate Peter's life will be held on November 19, 2023 at 2 pm. at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany, 405 Washington Avenue, and on Zoom at https://tinyurl.com/AlbanyUU-Memorial, Meeting ID 0187785. Contributions to honor Peter's memory would be welcomed by the Albany chapter of the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) at 99 Pine Street, #101, Albany 12207 or at https://refugees.org/donateuscri-albany/.
Born in Berlin, Germany, on July 8, 1929, Peter came to the U.S. with his family in 1936 as a stateless refugee and went on to lead an extraordinary life. After graduating from New Rochelle High School in 1947, he earned a B.A. in Government at Columbia College, and then completed Harvard Law School. He served in the U.S. Army in Korea before starting his 63-year legal career. He first worked for the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, DC and then rose through the ranks at the Federal Power Commission to become Solicitor. In 1971, Peter came to Albany to be General Counsel to the New York State Public Service Commission, and then held leadership positions from 1981-2010 at the New York State Department of Law, Appeals and Opinions Division, where he volunteered for ten years after his retirement. Peter argued in countless state and federal courts, including in landmark cases at the U.S. Supreme Court. Among his professional awards was the 2010 New York State Bar Association's Excellence in Public Service Award that recognized Peter for "advancing the public interest, promoting a more diverse workforce, and shaping the careers of some of our most dedicated public servants" and for being "a master teacher on brief writing and the rigors of oral argument, as well as a sharp and creative force in legal analysis."
Peter was cherished as a loving and wise husband, father, stepfather, grandfather, uncle, cousin, friend and professional colleague. He was a rock, always there when needed, always caring and generous, honest and true. He sent birthday cards and gifts to everyone in his extended family every year, was always present for family celebrations, and baked amazing cheesecakes for parties. He adored puns, good meals and conversation with family and friends, Klondike bars, lap swimming, playing tennis and squash, the Yankees, live theatre, history and biography books, travelling the world, and snorkeling in the Caribbean.
Peter was predeceased by his father Frederick "Fritz" Schiff, MD, and his mother Hildegard Caro Schiff, his older brothers Frank Schiff (Erika) and Ray Schiff (Ann), and his first wife, Toni Schiff.
Peter is survived by his beloved wife of thirty-seven years, Nancy Willie-Schiff; daughter Nancy Schiff (Ben Cohen) of Boston, MA; son Thomas Schiff (Amy Altwarg) of Florence, MA; stepson Zeth Willie (Stephanie Cabrera) of Manhattan; stepdaughter Mara Null (James) of Manhattan; stepson Garth Pittman (Katie) and stepdaughter Kate Dimitre (Thomas) of Ashland, OR; nephew Robert Schiff of Washington, DC; nephew Donald Schiff of Beaverton, OR; niece Joan Schiff of Philadelphia, PA; and nine grandchildren.
A memorial service to celebrate Peter's life will be held on November 19, 2023 at 2 pm. at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany, 405 Washington Avenue, and on Zoom at https://tinyurl.com/AlbanyUU-Memorial, Meeting ID 0187785. Contributions to honor Peter's memory would be welcomed by the Albany chapter of the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) at 99 Pine Street, #101, Albany 12207 or at https://refugees.org/donateuscri-albany/.
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