A determined optimist, he never stopped seeking a better future for the Middle East even after retiring from the American Near East Refugee Aid, ANERA, in 2007, where he served 29 years as ANERA's president.
While at ANERA, he directed long-term development projects in the West Bank, Gaza, Lebanon, and Jordan, as well as coordinating initiatives within national and international NGOs.
Prior to joining ANERA, Gubser, fluent in English, French and Arabic, worked with various non-governmental agencies in Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq.
An adjunct professor at Georgetown University in the School of Foreign Service, he published extensively on issues related to Jordan and economic development in the Middle East.
His latest book, “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.
Under his leadership ANERA touched the lives of millions of Palestinian families.
He was instrumental for the construction and establishment of IT Centers of Excellence at four universities in the West Bank to the creation of ANERA's Milk for Preschoolers Program in Gaza, established in 2003 to distribute fortified milk and biscuits to preschoolers which today reaches nearly 20,000 children across the Gaza Strip.
For this reporter, Gubser will be most remembered for his humility. In a town of giant-sized egos — his fun spirit, big heart and kind demeanor were refreshing and inspiring. And — a true sign of success — he was loved by his colleagues, both here and in the Middle East.
ANERA’s current president, Bill Corcoran said Gubser was “full of life and a bit of mischief, too. He was always able to put a smile on our faces.”
Pausing, he added: “Please let it be known that as some Palestinian Americans began to hear of his impending death, they asked us to mention that Peter was ‘a true friend of the Palestinians.’
“His great love for education was a means of investing in the future of Palestinians. He believed education gave them a future where politics denied them a future,” said Corcoran.
“Another key thing about Peter’s personality is that many people involved in the Middle East and Palestinians affairs eventually became burnt out. Not Peter. He was eternally filled with hope. He was not naïve or overly idealistic, but felt one could make progress with one family at a time.”
Marjorie Ransom, a Middle Eastern specialist and retired State Department Public Diplomacy Officer, remembered that “Peter’s job was particularly difficult because he worked on aid for Palestinians, something that was not always an easy sell.
“Peter tackled his job with enthusiasm and skill. He won the respect of those he worked with because he always knew the specific detail of where ANERA’s money went. Beyond this he was an extraordinary individual who touched everyone with his great humanity.”
“Peter was an extraordinary human being. His was an often lonely but always a strong and courageous voice in America for bringing justice and compassion to the people of Palestine,” said Les Janka, a resident of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia who served as Chairman of the Board of ANERA for six years.
“ANERA's record of development is a lasting monument to Peter's many talents. I was proud to work with him for more than 30 years.”
Dr. John Duke Anthony, President and CEO of the Washington-based National Council on US-Arab Relations also spoke of his great sadness is losing “a fellow laborer trying to place the relationship between the United States and the Arab world on the firmest footing possible.
“He was not only a great teacher, scholar, and lucid writer as well as author of several very good books on Lebanon, Jordan, and Saladin. He was also a role model as an inspirational leader, an institution builder, and the longtime head of one of the world's most effective philanthropic organizations devoted to the alleviation of suffering as well as the provision of opportunities for those in need, as well as an indefatigable champion of the rights of Palestinians living under Israeli occupation.
Anthony also spoke fondly of Dr. Gubser’s “great sense of humor, incisive wit, and joy in laughter, even when the joke was on him, was boundless.”
Ironically, Dr. Gubser died on the day that the Mideast peace talks began again in Washington. Donations in his honor can be made at: http://www.anera.org.
