On September 1, Oregon Bach Festival (OBF) Board Chair Robin Burk announced that the organization has named longtime patron and donor, Dr. Peter von Hippel, as an Honorary Life Director of the Board of Oregon Bach Festival.
“Pete has been an active supporter and advocate for the Festival for more than three decades,” says Burk. “His dedication to OBF and its mission has made him an extraordinary board member. He keeps us grounded in the legacy created by Royce Saltzman and Helmuth Rilling with his historical knowledge of the Festival, and he and his wife Jo share an unmatched appreciation of the music.”
In addition to his historic patronage of Oregon Bach Festival, von Hippel has been a longtime member of the University of Oregon community. After finishing his doctorate at MIT, von Hippel moved to Oregon in 1967 to continue his research and teach in the field of Biophysical Chemistry & Molecular Biology.
OBF Board member, Nathan Philips, describes von Hippel’s experience in the university environment as “invaluable in exploring how to shape OBF educational programs, and their significance to the greater UO mission.” On a personal level, Philips notes, “becoming a friend and colleague of a scientist and human being of his stature and quality has been one of the highlights of my many years of OBF board service.” Board member Mary Miller agrees, adding, “Pete brings so much value to OBF – his great intellect, his knowledge of the workings of the university, his unfailing cheerfulness, and his even-handed manner. He is always willing to give his time to OBF projects requiring his substantial knowledge and expertise.” Von Hippel has retired from teaching at UO, but continues to run a fully active and funded research program.
During the summer of 2017, Pete and Jo were awarded the Festival’s highest honor for their many years of service. The Saltzman Award is presented to those who have made exceptional contributions to further the OBF mission, and the von Hippels were recognized for their leadership, participation on the OBF Board, outspoken advocacy in the community, and for their generous financial support. “Jo and Pete have a history with OBF that spans its entire existence and they certainly are counted among the Festival’s most ardent and long-term fans,” says OBF Board Vice-Chair, Dave Frosaker. “His contributions to the success of Oregon Bach Festival are truly immeasurable.”
Von Hippel, who was in the very first Oregon Bach Festival audience fifty years ago, joins Andrew Berwick, Nonnie Cole, Mary Ann Moore, and Donald Tykeson as the only five OBF supporters to receive this honor.