Staff Writer
HOULTON — Tuesday morning, the Greater Houlton Christian Academy honored a mentor to many and a friend to all during its Easter Chapel held at the United Methodist Church.
PRESENTED — Greater Houlton Christian Academy Head of School John Bishop, left, presented Peter Hurd with a plaque in recognition of his recent retirement from the aerospace lab he founded at the Academy. Watching is Hurd’s wife, Jean.
Peter Hurd, former U.S. Air Force and founder and director of GHCA aerospace lab, was revered by friends, staff and students of GHCA as he finishes his work at the Academy.
“It’s that time, unfortunately,” said Hurd’s wife Alma Jean. “Things have been happening in our lives that we need to move on and do other things.”
For the last 15 years, Hurd has been inspiring students.
“I know it was a labor of love for him,” said science teacher Dan Angotti, who has worked with Hurd for the last eight years. “We appreciate all his hard work and what he has meant to the Academy.”
From the beginning of the ceremony, Hurd was deeply moved.
“I will weep if I try to talk,” he said after the ceremony. “It’s a very emotional moment. But I do thank each and every one of these young people and their teachers.”
“It’s an honor to be here,” Jean said. “It’s an honor to see all the children. He misses them. He has made a difference in a lot of their lives and he has heard from them. It’s been wonderful and it means so much to him.”
Not once, but twice, this military man has retired. But with tears in his eyes, Hurd said this was the toughest between the two.
“It’s a privilege to be here for this Easter Chapel to help recognize Mr. Hurd, who has spent so much of his own time, energy and resources educating students about aerospace ” said Peter Holmes, chairman of the GHCA board. “That is something he has a passion for and it is quite evident.”
Holmes compared Hurd’s infectious smile, cheer and genuine enthusiasm to that of some of his teachers he had in school.
“I can tell you personally, he has always treated me with genuine respect, a warm smile and a cheery hello,” said Holmes. “I’m sure that is the same greeting he has given many of you students.”
Holmes said that Hurd has a “contagious warm spirit” that people cannot help but be affected by it as he no doubt made a change in many students’ lives.
“It’s that warm spirit, his passion for aerospace that he wanted to share with students. I think he did so extremely well, in fact like no other,” he added. “So, he is to be credited, respected and in this room today, recognized for his contributions to so many students. In his way, he has provided a launching pad, if you will, to a good number of students, not just for interest in aerospace, but I think in education. And the skills, warmth and the vibrancy he brought to aerospace, I’m sure has caught on like a spark and has helped those students in other areas of their lives even if they did not purse avionics.”
Letters of appreciation were read out loud from former students and staff.
“Thanks for teaching me about long-range radio communication,” said Jason Marshall, Class of 2000. “Thank you for encouraging my interest in aviation. The lessons that you taught me apply to projects I work on at my job today.”
Evan Elmore also sent an e-mail thanking Hurd.
“Thank you for the influence you had on me while I was at GHCA,” he wrote. “If it were not for you, I firmly believe, I would not be where I am today. You are the one who helped instill in me my love for aviation. I want to thank you for taking all the time out of your schedule to help inform me of certain career opportunities in the aviation industry. With this information, I was able to obtain a bachelors degree in aviation and now possess many airplane ratings, which include commercial, multi-engine with instrument privileges. You also helped instill in me, my love for military aviation, which is now the avenue I am pursuing in the Marine Corps. Once again, I want to thank you Mr. Hurd, for the time and effort you spent helping me find something I love to do.”
Though former Head of School Mark Jago could not attend the recognition ceremony, he sent words of appreciation to Hurd that were read aloud by Head of School John Bishop.
“Well General. I knew this day would eventually come,” Jago wrote. “With your drive, ambition and knowledge for the aerospace lab it was an immediate success with our students and staff. Just like I found, sometimes God allows changes to come our way to allow for continued growth of His kingdom. Sometimes those changes come with some sadness and new challenges, but our God is so faithful and gracious to those who serve Him that His work continues on.”
Jago noted Hurd had influenced not only students and staff, but his own life, as well.
“I have been able to address you as ‘The General,’ but more importantly, as my friend,” Jago wrote. “I have come to know you as a sincere man of God with great love for the young people of this school.”
Not only did Jago have words for Hurd, but for his wife Jean, too.
“Jean you are a gem,” he remarked. “Thank you for supporting your husband all these years with all the time he volunteered here at the Academy.”
Switching his thoughts back to Hurd he sent a personal message to him.
“Thank you for everything you have done for the students of this great school and for me,” he penned. “I am looking forward to that day when we are all in Heaven. You and I are going to take a flight together and fly to heavenly skies to have a look around. This time I am not going to crash the plane. Enjoy your retirement. Nothing but blue skies and a perfect tail wind ahead.”
Hurd was presented with a plaque that read “Presented to Peter M. Hurd in appreciation for your years of pointing our students to the skies.” After that, third-graders Kyle Carver and Teagan Ewings handed Hurd a poster board that had an airplane signed by all the Academy students.
When asked what kind of plane it was, Hurd simply said, “It’s a beautiful plane.”
Seventh-grade students Colby Walker, Jenna Stanley, Jessica Hemingwayhanded Mrs. Hurd a bouquet of flowers.
“I love you all,” she said. “You are all precious.”
