John Peter Kincaid

J. Peter Kincaid, Ph.D., known to many simply as Peter, passed away in Winter Park, Florida. He was born on September 16, 1942, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and he lived a life shaped by curiosity, generosity, and a deep devotion to the students and family he loved. Peter was a scientist at heart and an educator by calling. Trained as a human factors psychologist at the Ohio State University, he began his career as a professor at Georgia Southern College in the 1970s, and he later served as a scientist for the U.S. military. In time, he returned to higher education at the University of Central Florida, where he developed the interdisciplinary Modeling and Simulation Ph.D. program. There, he became known for his genuine interest in helping students reach their research goals, and he took great pride in his graduates, who are now spread around the world. Those who knew Peter remember a reserved man who carried, just beneath the surface, a wonderful sense of humor and an infectious laugh. He was genuinely kind, and he found real joy in mentoring, whether guiding his own son or the many graduate students who came to see him as far more than a teacher. Away from his work, Peter had a full and happy life. He loved canoeing, woodworking, reading, and the outdoors, and he was a lifelong lover of animals. His great passion was collecting and restoring antique fountain pens, an interest that brought him quiet satisfaction for many years. Peter is survived by his wife of more than sixty years, Poppy Kincaid; his son, John F. Kincaid, MD; and his grandchildren, Jack, Julian, and Joely. He was a proud husband, father, and grandfather, and his family was the center of his world. A memorial gathering will be held on October 31 from 12:00 to 2:00 at the Baldwin Brothers Funeral and Cremation Society, located at 1654 N. Semoran Blvd., Orlando, FL 32807. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that you consider making a donation to the UCF Division of Graduate Studies Endowed Scholarship Fund, in honor of a man who believed so fully in the promise of his students.