Peter Wickham Clement

September 25, 1946 – June 23, 2025

Peter Wickham Clement, architect, husband, father and brother, passed away at his home in Madison, Connecticut, on June 23, 2025. He was 78 years old.

Born on September 25, 1946, in Buffalo, New York, Peter lived a life defined by creativity, intellect, and a deep appreciation of beauty. He graduated from Pomfret School in 1964 and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Yale University in 1968. Peter later received a Master of Architecture degree at the University of Pennsylvania, where he studied under architect Louis I. Kahn, who significantly influenced his design philosophy.

Peter began his architectural career at Venturi and Rauch. He later worked with respected firms including Herbert S. Newman Partners and Tai Soo Kim Partners, before establishing his own practice, Clement Architects.

Among his many projects, he played a significant role in the restoration of Battell Chapel at Yale, the design of the American Embassy in Tunis, and the renovation of the Corzine Gymnasium at Pomfret.

Peter believed in the power of architecture to serve community needs. He volunteered with the New Haven branch of Habitat for Humanity, offering his expertise and time to support housing projects that improved lives and strengthened neighborhoods.

Peter was an avid birder and a passionate music enthusiast, with musical tastes ranging from the soulful guitar work of Eric Clapton to the modern melodies of Ed Sheeran. He enjoyed taking his motorboat along the Maine coast, where he could view architecture from a different perspective, and he took pleasure researching historic houses, diving into their history and the families who built them.

When asked just weeks before his passing which accomplishments made him most proud, Peter spoke of authoring two books, collaborating with his wife—most notably Stonlea, the story of a magnificent 1891 home lovingly purchased and restored by a close friend, and Clarity, a collection of family stories from the same friend. In both works, Peter’s deep respect for memory, architecture, and legacy is evident, capturing what mattered most to him: history, home, and the human connection.

Peter recognized and appreciated the significance of history, which he expressed through his service to the Madison Historical Society and the New Haven Museum. He was especially passionate about genealogy, devoting countless hours to researching his extended family’s lineage and generously sharing his findings with anyone who expressed interest. His curiosity about the past and his ability to connect it meaningfully to the present was one of his most endearing qualities.

Peter offered unwavering love and encouragement to his family and friends, living with quiet humility as a scholar, a creator, and a shining example of a man who embraced the finest joys of life and the enduring blessings of family.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Victoria Chave Clement; his son, Charles Merrell Clement (Piper); and his sister, Carolyn Clement Clark.

A private service will be held at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to Yale New Haven Health - Health at Home, Hospice,

The Connecticut Audubon Society.