Well-known Tauranga educator and World War II veteran leaves a lasting legacy

World War II veteran and Tauranga identity Peter Alex Densem leaves a lasting legacy. Photo / File

A World War II veteran and passionate Tauranga educator is remembered for the 'amazing' contribution he has made to the city he loved. Sandra Conchie has talked to his next-of-kin who shares reflections about her inspirational uncle.

Peter Alex Densem
(May 9, 1917 - October 16, 2019)

Peter Alex Densem just adored Tauranga and was its fiercest advocate.

The 102-year-old was proud to tell people he was born in Tauranga on May 9, 1917, and was a life-long educator with a wealth of knowledge about the city and its people.

Densem, who died on October 16 surrounded by his family at Althorp Village where he had been a resident for the past 16 years, was a passionate educator.

He was the sole-charge teacher at a small country school near Gisborne before he joined the war at age 23.

As a young Royal NZ Navy Lieutenant in the Fleet Air Arm, Densem's role was observer and navigator in a three-man crew flying Fairey Barracudas from aircraft carriers in the North Sea and the Arctic Ocean.

Lieutenant Peter Alex Densem served in World War II. Photo / File

His crew dive-bombed the German battleship Tirpitz sheltered near a mountain in a Norwegian fjord and they would hunt for enemy ships and submarines as the fleet carrier escorted convoys up the Arctic Circle to Murmansk in Russia.

Densem served five years overseas during World War II and after the war returned home to Tauranga and taught at various schools in the area during his long educational career.

He first taught at Tauranga Primary School, was deputy headmaster at Tauranga Intermediate, principal at Greerton School, and Arataki School's first principal.

He was principal at Otumoetai Intermediate from 1967 until his retirement in 1975.

After he retired, Peter became a wildlife ranger caring for the remote island sanctuaries in the Bay of Plenty, including at Matakana, Karewa and Mayor Islands, and also heavily involved with Tauranga SPCA.

"Uncle Peter had a life-long love of learning and passionately imparted his knowledge onto everyone," his niece Judy Jones said.

Two years before Peter's death with the help of his family, he established a $4000 Peter Densem undergraduate scholarship at Massey University.

"Uncle Pete was such an interesting amazing and inspirational person...Everyone who spent time with him used to say he was a neat, cool dude to talk to," Jones said.

A keen yachtie and boatie, he and his late brother Rod, who died in 2009, enjoyed spending time out on the water, and bird watching.

"The sea is in my DNA, get a boat and it will add 10 years to your life," Densem once said.

Jones also attributed her uncle's long life to his positive outlook on life, and the enjoyment he got from meeting and talking to other people, especially young people.

It was nothing for her uncle to turn up to a holiday bach with three or four students from his classes in tow, Jones said.

"He loved spending time with young people, there were always lessons to be taught and his pupils and former students adored spending time with him.

"My uncle Peter was never judgemental and it didn't matter who you were, and no matter what your status in life, he treated everyone with great respect," she said.

A former president of Tauranga Bowling Club, he was recently made an honorary life member of the Russian Convoy Club of New Zealand of which he was immensely proud," Jones said.

"He was a true gentleman to the end and my children Richard and Nicola just adored him as we all did, and we miss him so much," she said.

Densem was the second son of Peter and Mabel Densem, and his brother Rod and sister May, both deceased, were also teachers.

Their father was a bootmaker then owned a confectionery shop and tearooms on The Strand, before working as a land agent in later years.

A funeral service will be held at Tauranga Park, 388 Pyes Pa Rd, at 2 pm on October 24.