Dr. Peter Heydemann

Dr. Peter Ludwig Martin Heydemann
Scientist and Diplomat
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

Dr. Peter L.M. Heydemann passed away October 24th, 2017, at the Arden Courts Memory Center.  Dr. Heydemann was a distinguished U.S. scholar, physicist, and diplomat at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the US State Department at the embassy in New Delhi, India.

Dr. Heydemann was born November 10th, 1928 in Gottingen, Germany to Dr. Ernst Robert Heydemann and Rosemarie Kirchhoff Heydemann. He grew up during WWII and was conscripted into the German Army near the last days of the war at age 15. Although he returned home safely, his father remained a Soviet prisoner for more than a year treating Russian wounded.

Following the war, Dr. Heydemann attended the University of Gottingen, and graduated with multiple doctoral degrees in Physics, Chemistry, and Physiology.  After working with the British government in Germany, he emigrated to the U.S. with his family in 1964. Dr. Heydemann started work as a high-pressure measurements specialist for the National Bureau of Standards, the predecessor to NIST.

In 1988, as a member of the Senior Executive Service, Dr. Heydemann accepted an appointment as Chief Science Counselor at the American Embassy in New Delhi, India where he served from 1988 through 1993. Dr. Heydemann returned to NIST to serve as the Director of Technology Services until he retired in 1999. During his career he received numerous awards and recognitions to include the Presidential Rank Award.

Dr. Heydemann co-founded the company F&H Instruments with one of his technical peers.  He also wrote numerous technical papers, authored the book, “Peter’s Guide to New Delhi’s Monuments”, and traveled the world for business and pleasure. Throughout his travels, India remained his favorite place, for he loved the people, culture, and history.

In addition to being a voracious reader and speaking more than seven languages, Dr. Heydemann loved to garden, sip hot tea, listen to classical music, and study ancient history.

Dr. Peter Heydemann is survived by his wife, Sandra Bohrer Heydemann, his younger sister Dr. Annerose Heydemann in Germany, and younger brother Christian Heydemann in Finland.  He is also survived by his son Christian Heydemann with wife Lisa, and grandchildren Evan and Annamarie Heydemann, and by his daughter Dr. Ahlke Heydemann.  He was predeceased by his brother Ludwig Heydemann and former wife, Margrit S. Heydemann.

The Heydemann family asks that in lieu of flowers, family and friends make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association on behalf of Dr. Peter Heydemann.