Peter van Lent

Dear Laurentian Community,

I write today to share the sad news that former Associate Professor of Modern Languages and Coordinator of Native American Studies, Peter van Lent, passed away on December 29, 2025, at the age of 84.

Peter joined the St. Lawrence faculty in 1970 and taught for 30 years, inspiring generations of students through his wide-ranging intellectual interests and deep commitment to the humanities. Over the course of his career, he taught courses in French, French-Canadian Studies, African Studies, and Native American Studies, bringing thoughtful engagement with language, culture, and history to his work in the classroom.

Born on September 14, 1941, in Boston, Massachusetts, Peter was valedictorian of the Cohasset High School Class of 1959. He earned his bachelor’s degree in French from Dartmouth College and went on to receive a PhD in Medieval Studies and French Language and Literature from Stanford University.

Beyond his academic life, Peter was an avid animal lover who cared for a wide variety of animals over the years, from sheep and goats to llamas, chickens, and beloved dogs and cats. He was known for his humor, his storytelling, and the care and curiosity he brought to both his teaching and his life.

Peter is survived by his children, Michael (Colleen) van Lent and Joelle (Dan) Palmer; five grandchildren; and his dear friend and caregiver, Shirley Sibbitts.

Please join us in honoring Peter’s life by sharing your memories of him on the St. Lawrence University website. You can read the remembrances of others here.

Sincerely,
Kate Morris