Peter Stauffer - the face of CAT for the tunnelling industryIn a relatively short time we at tunnelbuilder ltd came to know Peter as a great friend as well as a valued colleague. He first came to our notice in 2001 when he approached Maurice Jones, then editor of 'Tunnels & Tunnelling International' for information to assess the potential market for Caterpillar equipment used in underground construction. That work was subsequently taken up by Mike Smith, the results of which Peter used in planning his successful campaigns to promote use of his employer's products underground, including specially modified and new models dedicated to this demanding market. Thus began a close association, in which activity was genuinely two-way to the benefit of both sides. That was Peter's way. Together we were proud to work on conference papers, which he presented for meetings such as the 'Underground Construction' (London) events and ITA congress, editorial contributions to magazines, and a most memorable media visit to the Faido section of the new Gotthard base tunnel in which Caterpillar plant featured greatly. Peter's particularly human way of presentation, injecting humour into sometimes dry meetings, earned him the praise of the session chairman. Research director Thierry Borca also recalls similar presentations at other international conferences at which his communications skills and ability to transmit his enthusiasm enlivened proceedings. Thierry once welcomed Peter with great pleasure to Toulouse on a trip to the Pyrenees to deliver a Caterpillar machine to a quarry in Saint-Beat. They unknowingly shared the same interest in the aircraft industry, so Thierry took Peter to visit Airbus Industrie, where he was surprised by his aeronautic knowledge. Peter confided that he had really wanted to make the Airbus visit for his father, a retired veterinary whose hobby was aviation. This is another example of how Peter was always thinking of others. Prior to his working in the tunnelling industry, Peter had joined Caterpillar in 1976, working in a variety of activities including product development, training and marketing. After first apologising for initial absence from his office and for not being in contact earlier, Peter described his illness in a matter-of-fact way, although naturally concerned, and said that he would fight it whatever happened. That he did with much courage, his colleagues report. He was never one to give up easily. Some say he exemplified the products he marketed, but his personal qualities were even greater. Peter's great professionalism, enthusiasm for tunnelling and his part in it, a great sense of (frequently dry) humour, hospitality, optimism, willingness to help others, love of family and skiing, and pride in being Swiss, are now lost to the industry, but not our memories. Thankyou Peter, for enriching our lives. James, Karel, Luke, Maurice, Mike, Monica, Neville, Sam, Teodoro, Thierry, Wendy, and all tunnelbuilder associates around the globe. 42/07.