Alumni Profiles
Walk On decided to leave college and found a job in Mürren, in the Berner Oberland. “I was in heaven,” he says, “teaching skiing in the winters and hiking in the summers. I stayed five years.” Then, “with no college background and becoming saturated with ski-bumming, I decided to find a career.” He founded a bicycle touring adventure company called Europeds in 1981, developing itineraries throughout France and Switzerland. He sold Europeds in 2000 and worked odd jobs, including carpentry work with his cabinet-maker brother. Planning and guiding hikes and walks was in his blood, however, so he never really quit, and put together some great itineraries for special groups and occasions, like celebrating the School’s 50th anniversary with his classmates in 2006. Twenty alumni hiked from Andermatt (evoking days of Ski Term) through Ticino to the Montagnola campus. Peter personifies Mrs. Fleming’s love of adventure and exploring, absorbing her spirit of joie de vivre and making it his own. After Mrs. Fleming passed away in January 2009, Peter put together an all-class hike in her honor, which took hikers from St. Moritz to Montagnola via Lake Como. “It was a success and started the regular walks which have followed since then, including one in 2013 where we stayed a week in the spectacular summer home of my TASIS roommate, the late Peter Graham Belin, Château d’Andelot in Franche-Comté in eastern France.”
Peter Boynton and Catherine Steele ‘71 with Mrs. Fleming in 2006
Peter Boynton ’69 is a familiar name to many alumni as a key contact for class reunions and alumni events throughout the years. He’s also an entrepreneur and former ski bum who has hosted countless alumni on hikes in the French and Swiss Alps. Peter came to TASIS “for the skiing”, yet left with a fresh outlook that opened his eyes to art, drama, and the importance of language. “I first tried college at Colorado State University with my skiing best friend and mentor, Craig Benton ’69,” he recalls. The activity of the Vietnam War on campuses further west drew Peter and Craig to Peter’s home in Palo Alto, California, but, as Peter says, “we were soon Europe-sick and applied together and got into Schiller College in Germany.” When Peter moved back to Europe, his younger brother and sister and Craig’s younger brother were attending TASIS, so they skied often with the TASIS community. Peter soon TASIS TASISTODAY TODAY--230
As a leader, Peter is known for his extensive research, his love of maps, and his encyclopedic knowledge of interesting information that enhances the experience for his guests. His meticulous planning might lead him to request a second Postbus at the end of a day’s hike to ensure no one will go without a seat. For those who might want to stop hiking earlier than others, he will ensure a bus is shadowing the group, or that a funicular is available nearby. He ensures that the terrain is as challenging or comfortable as his guests prefer. TASIS Alumni Director Yvonne Procyk has heard many sing Peter’s praises throughout the year. “It’s not just about walking,” she says. “There’s the cuisine, and cultural stops, such as visiting prehistoric cave paintings in the Dordogne plus a lecture from an expert, or visiting Giacometti’s studio. Peter evokes Mrs. Fleming’s love of picnics with al fresco dining. Nature and culture are both present.” The groups soon become a family, sharing communal meals and discussing everything from the scenery to philosophy. Peter is inspired by the incredible landscapes of the “awesome Alps and the idyllic French countryside, the sublime cuisine and cozy and/or supreme accommodations. But mostly, my active gatherings are inspired by the warm, wonderful and humorous rapport I enjoy with participants.”