Tributes paid to former Milton Keynes charity trustee and Buckinghamshire High Sheriff
Tributes have been paid to a former Milton Keynes charity trustee and Buckinghamshire High Sheriff who has died.
Peter Kara served as a trustee of the Milton Keynes Community Foundation during an association of more than 30 years with the grant-making charity, which sends funding to community projects across the city.
He also held the historic ceremonial role of Buckinghamshire High Sheriff from 2017 to 2018.
Peter was appointed as a trustee of the foundation in 1995, going on to serve as its chair, chair of its property committee and vice-president.
The foundation described him as “a man of remarkable generosity, wisdom and integrity.”
Born in South Africa, Peter grew up in “a beautiful rural environment” before moving to England to study.
He became a qualified accountant and had a long history of investing in private companies, while also providing financial support and strategic planning advice to medium-sized businesses.
He spent more than 20 years as a mental health manager with the National Health Service and served for many years on the boards of local National Health Service organisations.
In a tribute on its website the Milton Keynes Community Foundation said: “Peter was a strategic thinker, but also kind, dignified, and deeply caring.
"He spoke honestly and acted with conviction.
"A true community champion, Peter was someone people trusted, respected, and turned to for advice.
"His passing feels particularly poignant as he was due to speak at our summer reception on the day he died.
"Milton Keynes is a better place because of his generosity, leadership, and belief in the importance of helping others.
"Our thoughts are with Peter's family, friends and all those whose lives were enriched by knowing him.”
Peter was remembered at a meeting of Buckinghamshire Council, with council chairman John Chilver announcing his death and offering condolences to his family and friends.
Cllr Chilver said: “It is with great sadness that I must report the death of Peter Kara, who served as High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire from 2017 to 2018.
“Peter played an active role in the voluntary sector, supporting numerous charitable organisations, and spent over 20 years as a mental health manager with the NHS.
“I wish to send my condolences to Peter’s family and friends.”
Cllr Dev Dhillon, the Conservative member for Farnhams and Stoke Poges, then paid a personal tribute, describing Peter as a “special person” who touched the lives of many people.
“I feel privileged to have known him and to have attended a number of civic engagements with him as chairman and vice-chairman of Buckinghamshire County Council,” Cllr Dhillon said.
“As a High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire in 2017-2018, he was able to use his years in office to promote the wider discussion on mental health, particularly focusing on prevention and early intervention.
“He will be sadly missed, our thoughts and prayers are with his family, his son and his daughter, and his son-in-law, daughter-in-law, and again, as you said, chairman, he was very dear to his grandchild.”
Council members stood to observe a minute’s silence in Peter’s memory.