Celebrating the Life of Peter Westbrook

Peter Westbrook posing for Spectrum News NY1. He is a six-time Olympic contender and bronze medalist, and the first Black fencer to medal in the United States. Image from https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/sports/2023/02/24/years-after-his-historic-olympic-victory--peter-westbrook-is-continuing-to-add-diversity-to-fencing

Peter J. Westbrook will be sorely missed by all members of Tim Morehouse Fencing Club. The community that Westbrook created celebrated all walks of life and gave every student an opportunity to excel, both in the world of fencing and beyond.

In 1984, he was the first American to win an Olympic fencing medal since 1960; he was the first African-American and Asian American to ever win a medal in fencing.

“He was able to do battle and fight off some of his anxiety and win,” Ms. Miles-Westbrook said in an interview with the New York Times on Saturday.

A pioneer likened to Arthur Ashe and Jackie Robinson, Westbrook started the Peter Westbrook Foundation to enrich the lives of children with lower socio-economic means.

As a leader and Harlem native, he broadened the reach of Fencing, exposing a more diverse group of people to the sport, especially after creating the fencing club in New York City.

“…. What a tremendous loss for the entire sport of fencing. Peter was a champion’s champion who shaped so many lives directly and indirectly in the sport of fencing and beyond. If you don’t know about his legacy or accomplishments I encourage you to learn more about him. USA Fencings success in so many ways has been shaped by him.”

— Message from TMFC founder Tim Morehouse

The fencing community became like a family, with members from the Westbrook Foundation also participating in other clubs; Tim Morehouse Fencing Club members like Chelsea Delsoin and coach Daryl Homer were also a part of the Peter Westbrook Foundation.

Other notable alumni of the Peter Westbrook Foundation include Lauren Scruggs who won Olympic gold and silver at the Paris 2024 games, Erinn and Keeth Smart who won silver in 2008, and Ibtihaj Muhammad who won bronze in 2016.

Peter Westbrook’s accomplishments and civic service were a testament to the special person that he was.

“The kids think I’m going to live forever and I keep telling them it appears that way, but I probably won’t live forever, so the next thing I do is a succession plan. I have my Olympians, my Olympic medalists will run the program,” said Westbrook in an interview with NY1 news.

“I never thought we would see this type of success. All I wanted to do is give back because I’m so grateful I’m so thankful that God has blessed me this way”.

You can find an interview of Peter Westbrook, speaking about his legacy with NY1 Spectrum News, a memoriam written by the New York Times, see the announcement of his passing on Instagram, or learn more about his contributions through The Peter Westbrook Foundation.