Douglas Williams

Douglas Williams of Peterborough died peacefully on Friday, August 25, 2023, while visiting with friends in Maine.

He was born on September 14, 1934, the second son of Ralph and Corilla Williams. He grew up in Amherst, Massachusetts, and graduated from Amherst College where his father was a professor while his mother worked with international students, especially after World War II.  After graduation from Virginia Theological Seminary, he worked in a college ministry in Florida. Later, in Colorado, he founded an organization to address important issues that drew significant community support.

His desire to study Jungian psychology brought him to Zurich for five years where he earned his Diplomate.  He offered Jungian analysis to individual clients for the rest of his life.

 In the 1990’s, Doug developed Heaven’s Mind, a gathering place above Latacarta, as a place to meet and discuss ideas.  These conversations gave energy to changes that were beginning in Peterborough.  Doug was part of the group that set up the town’s first celebrations to honor Martin Luther King, Jr.  He also gave a lot of time and support to the early efforts to conserve the land around Cunningham Pond.

Though Doug would have turned 89 in September, his energy and interest in gardening and caring for his home was as strong as ever.  He had already stacked two cords of wood!  He loved to work alongside those who came to do the jobs he couldn’t do; many philosophical conversations took place in these situations, and he had great appreciation for those with the technical skills he did not have.

Doug leaves behind good friends, many of whom worked with him, sharing books and ideas through various groups that met in his home.  He also leaves his wife, Joy Jacobs, and his daughter, Erin Williams, as well as a son, Ben Williams

In lieu of flowers, please consider sending a donation to the Peterborough Food Bank, which Doug loved to support with weekly vegetable contributions. The address is Peterborough Human Services Fund, One Grove Street, Peterborough, NH 03458.