In Memoriam Peter Pover, President of WDSF, 1997-98
An exceptional DanceSport athlete in his youth in England, a Finalist in the British Open Standard Championship in 1965, first a British Army Officer and then a Chartered Accountant by profession, Peter became involved in DanceSport politics and administration in 1964 in England. His involvement in USA Dance goes back to 1980s after he moved to the United States. He served as an outstanding National President there on three occasions: initially from 1988 to 1993, for a second term in 2008 to 2009 and again from December 2015 to July 2016.
Mr. Pover also served as a longstanding Member of the WDSF Presidium, including as an Ordinary Member, as Vice President from 1995-1997 and President from 1997 to 1998.
Always willing to board an airplane to Europe or Asia for the good of WDSF, Peter was one of the chief negotiators who achieved WDSF's first breakthrough agreements with the International Olympic Committee in 1995 and 1997. During all this time he also held a senior position at the prestigious Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C. and was proud to have known and advised five U.S. Presidents and numerous other senior public officials in the United States.
Somehow he also found time to adjudicate and Chair WDSF Panels, and at one point this WDSF Chair famously worked on his hands and knees through the night helping to lay down a dance floor in a crisis before a WDSF World Ranking Tournament.
A bon vivant, Peter was also a loving father and husband, and, quietly, a strong member of his church.
His legacy to DanceSport was to help lay a strong foundation for our Olympic aspirations at the world level, and at home to guide USA Dance through many changes, always a "happy warrior" and always an evangelist for our sport, increasing the public knowledge and media exposure of Standard and Latin DanceSport.
With his energy and enthusiasm he enthralled his audiences, and his joy was evident in everything he did.
The WDSF Presidium extends its deepest sympathy to his wife Ida and his family, and pays solemn homage to his memory.
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