Pete G. Van Schaick

Peter Gerrit Van Schaick (1942-2025)

“Door to Door Poet and artist beloved by Toledo’s Old West End neighborhood and the Collingwood Arts Center, Peter Gerrit Van Schaick, age 83, of Toledo, Ohio, died peacefully on March 22, 2025 after a brief illness.

Peter was born in Valparaiso, Chile in 1942 to George D. and Alice E. Van Schaick where his father was assigned while employed by the Sperry Gyroscope Company during World War II. Peter grew up outside of New York City in Tuckahoe, NY before the family moved to Saxton’s River, Vermont where they remained. Peter’s father loved airplanes and spent many hours in his workshop. Peter’s mother worked as a nurse, loved tending to her exuberant flower gardens and also raised three children. When Peter was 7 years old, he contracted Polio and was hospitalized for many months away from his family while recovering. Polio left him with a lifelong limp, though he always liked to recount that he tied for first place in a running race in elementary school. He attended Vermont Academy, graduating in 1960 and then Tufts University where he graduated in 1964 with a degree in Art History.

In 1964 he married Margit I. Thoma of Peru, VT. The couple joined the Peace Corps and spent three years in Somalia teaching English. Peter was deeply affected by his time in Somalia and maintained a love for the people he met there for the remainder of his life. Peter completed graduate studies at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor then moved to Toledo to teach Art History at the Toledo Museum of Art. Peter had three children---Susan, Daphne, and Rosalie---and divorced in 1977.

Peter was fully devoted to the creative life and the arts scene in Toledo. In 1986 he became a resident of the Collingwood Arts Center where he lived for years in the “Tower” of the Gerber House. He called himself “The Guy in the Tower”, wrote poetry and distributed many of his works around the area. He had many colorful friends and was well known in the area for his poetry readings and support of the arts. Peter frequently introduced himself to strangers which was how he met many people and made friends everywhere he went. He enjoyed travel by train and bus. Wherever he went, Peter carried his writing and colorful creations to share with those he met. He himself was colorful as well, often wearing bright pink shirts and loud socks. He was not shy. He participated in the World Peace Bell Gardens project in the 1980’s and was known to greet people with “The Universal Greeting” which many likely remember for its physicality and wide departure from a typical “hello.”.

Peter will always be remembered fondly for his congeniality, his unconventional style, and his unique observations and way of being in the world.

Peter was preceded in death by his parents (George D. and Alice E. of Saxton’s River, VT), his ex-wife Margit Van Schaick (Thoma) in 2017. He is survived by two sisters, Sara Rice (Lawrence) of Saxton’s River, VT, and Martha Adams of Chino Valley, AZ. Children Susan Nordin (Michael) of Duluth, MN, Daphne Van Schaick (Joseph Mayhew) of West Pawlet, VT, and Rosalie Wade (Daniel) of Boulder, CO., Grandchildren Anna Nordin, Ryan Nordin, Jacob Mayhew and nephews and nieces.

Additionally, Peter will be greatly missed by many local artists, writers, musicians and friends.

The family would like to thank and acknowledge the staff and residents of the Renaissance Senior Apartments and Otterbein Sunset Village where Peter spent the last years of his life.

An informal Celebration of Life will be held at the Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion in the Glass Salon on Wednesday April 9, 2025 from 1-3:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, stories and sharing of memories as well as donations to the Toledo Museum of Art and the Collingwood Arts Center would be greatly appreciated.

Arrangements were entrusted to Newcomer Funeral Home, West Chapel. Online condolences to the family may be left at newcomertoledo.com