Peter
Gubser was dedicated to providing quality education for Palestinians, starting
as early as preschool. Once asked why, he said, "The big picture may be slow to change, but to the person receiving a
textbook, the future is immediately better."
Some
of his hallmark achievements included a campaign against malnutrition among Gaza's children through
the Milk for Preschoolers program, which was established in 2003 to distribute
fortified milk and biscuits to preschoolers.
The program today reaches nearly 20,000 children across the Gaza Strip.
Another
success story reflected his passion for education. Under his leadership ANERA funded the construction
and establishment of IT Centers of Excellence at four universities in the West Bank. The centers
offer specialized classes in IT business management and act as incubators for
young Palestinian entrepreneurs while also providing services to the local
Palestinian business communities.
In
an earlier tribute to Peter Gubser, ANERA colleagues summed up his
impact: "He is the personification of ANERA: capable, practical, enthusiastic, supportive
of new ideas and willing to make them happen."
Dr.
Gubser was a keen observer of Middle East
society and an historian at heart. He
published articles and research papers on various aspects of Middle
East economic development.
His latest book, "Saladin, Empire and Holy War," "Saladin,
Empire and Holy War" (Gorgias Press
April, 2010) offers a remarkable and highly readable portrait of the complex warrior-king. He also wrote several books on Jordan, including a historical dictionary of the
Hashemite Kingdom.
Before
joining ANERA, Gubser worked for the Ford Foundation in Lebanon and Jordan
and as an Associate Research Scientist for the American Institute for Research
in Washington, DC.
After receiving his BA from Yale, his MA from American
University of Beirut
and his PhD from St Anthony's College at Oxford
University, he worked as a Research
Fellow at the University of Manchester and conducted year-long projects in Zahleh, Lebanon
and Karak, Jordan.
Dr
Gubser is survived by his mother Mary Gubser, and by his beloved wife Annie Yenilomshian Gubser, whom he met while living in Lebanon, their two daughters Sasha and Christi and their two granddaughters Sky and Sophie.
