Peter Robert Schumann The former president of Big White Ski Resort died Friday at his mountain home. In a post on Big White’s Facebook page, Big White Vice President Michael J. Ballingall announced the death of Peter Robert Schumann at the age of 71, calling his death “sudden.” “The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the Big White first responders, BC Ambulance and Kelowna General Hospital emergency technicians, nurses and doctors for their professional care given to Mr. Schumann Ballingall wrote. Peter Schumann was born on 13 May 1951 in Adelaide, South Australia. He was the son of Desmond Schumann – the Australian who bought Big White in 1985 for $4.5 million and helped shape the resort into what it is today. Desmond, who also bought the Silver Star in 2002, passed the resort to Peter Schumann and passed the Silver Star to his daughter Jane Cann. Peter served as president and “family spokesman” at Big white until his retirement in 2014. His nephew, Peter Plimer, took over as president and remains in that position today. Desmond Schuman died in 2012 at the age of 94. The sudden death of Peter Schumann has left family and friends shocked, and family members from around the world are traveling to Kelowna to mourn the loss. Ballingall says a memorial service and reception will be held at a later date.
