NSU students, faculty and staff joined the family of the late Pete Witschen, former vice president of Facilities Management, to celebrate his life and contributions to NSU. Witschen was 65 years old when he passed away this past summer after battling cancer.
“Pete set the example for being a dedicated, unselfish, hardworking member of our leadership team,” said Jacqueline Travisano, executive vice president and chief operating officer. “Throughout his illness, he rarely missed a day of work and displayed much more concern for others than he ever expressed concern for himself.”
Witschen joined the NSU community in 2008 as executive director for Facilities. He was later promoted to vice president for Facilities in 2012. In a message from the president on the Office of Facilities Management webpage, it is said that Witschen guided the planning and development for the design and construction of some of NSU’s landmark facilities, including the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Center, the Center for Collaborative Research and design concepts for the Academical Village.
The memorial included tributes and a slideshow of photos of Witschen and his family. A reception with light refreshments followed.
Witschen’s sons, Eric and Kyle Witschen and Brandon Stone, paid emotional tributes to their father. Jeff Brandon from the Brandon Company, Vice President of Legal Affairs at NSU Joel Berman, NSU President George Hanbury and Travisano also paid tribute. Prior to tributes by friends and families, the City of Fort Lauderdale Police Honor Guard and the Town of Davie Police Honor Guard conducted the Presentation of Colors in Witschen’s honor.
Eric gave an emotional memorandum about his father.
“My dad taught me that everyone is special — that no one is above or below anyone else,” he said.
- Brandon described how Witschen was more than just a colleague, but a friend. In recollecting memories, he explained how Witschen always remained humble in his talk and actions.
“Pete had a compassion for everything he did in life and for everyone he knew,” he said.
Berman explained that if there was only one word to describe Witschen, it would be ‘special.’
“I knew he was just what NSU needed when he got here,” Berman said. “The world would be a better place if there were more people like him.”
In Hanbury’s closing remarks, he gave an emotional tribute that represented the impact Witschen had not only on the community as a whole but also the individuals within.
Hanbury knew Witschen since their time working as leaders in the City of Fort Lauderdale, Hanbury as city manager and Witschen as assistant city manager.
“I was a better city manager because of Pete Witschen,” Hanbury emotionally revealed. “I was a better president because of Pete Witschen. But, most importantly, I am a better man because of Pete.”
Photos courtesy of L. Cohen
