Introducing the Board Spotlight, a fresh addition to our bi-weekly Insights newsletter. This feature illuminates the trailblazing individuals who are steering the course for OGR with their forward-thinking approach. For more information, click here.
Peter Urban, Jr. is the funeral director at Anton B. Urban Funeral Home in Ambler, Pennsylvania. He serves on the OGR Board of Directors and recently hosted the 2023 OGR Future Leaders Forum at his funeral home. The OGR Insights Newsletter caught up with Peter to talk about his many involvements in OGR, his family life, and more!
OGR: Tell us about your family, pets, and where you call home.
PU: I'm Peter A. Urban, Jr. I've been happily married to Kelly since April 1, 2017, and we are proud parents to Meredith (5) and Peter III (2). Our family includes Bubbles, our friendly indoor/outdoor cat who is a neighborhood favorite. I have spent my whole life in Ambler, PA, a cozy suburb near Philadelphia. Ambler's strong sense of community and the warm, small-town vibe make it a special place we are proud to call home.
OGR: What do you like to do for fun or to relax?
PU: These days, most of my free time revolves around my kids - teaching them to swim, playing T-ball, and embracing extended holiday activities (nothing is just a one-day event anymore). I also enjoy year-round shooting disciplines and am an avid hunter in the fall. Surprisingly, working as an embalmer in the middle of the night offers me a unique form of relaxation.
OGR: How did you first become involved in OGR, and what motivated you to do so?
PU: OGR has been my extended family for as long as I can remember. We've made it a tradition to combine family vacations with conference events from the early 90s through the 2000s. My involvement with OGR deepened when I attended my first Pheasant Hunt Round Table in 2006 and participated in education sessions at the 2007 Annual Conference. In 2015, I played a role in forming the Emerging Leaders (Young Professionals) group. Then, in 2019, I was asked to join the Board of Directors in an expanded seat for Emerging Leaders. By 2021, I was honored to be elected to the Board by the membership. Throughout this journey, I have had the privilege of continuously learning from the incredible OGR community.
OGR: What made you want to join OGR's Board of Directors?
PU: I wanted to join OGR's Board of Directors when I was asked because I have a deep appreciation for the sense of community that OGR fosters. Having been involved with OGR for many years, I've witnessed firsthand how this organization plays a vital role in connecting professionals and providing a platform for valuable education and networking. By saying yes to this opportunity, I aimed to contribute my experiences and ideas to help the organization continue to educate and empower the community it serves.
OGR: What message or advice would you like to share with other members who might be considering getting more involved?
PU: Their fresh perspectives and energy can bring new insights and ideas to the table, enriching our organization's collective knowledge and driving us forward. Encouraging their participation is an investment in our future success. Our organization thrives when knowledge is shared.
OGR: What other board work, volunteering, or side work do you do?
PU: I'm actively involved in various roles within OGR, including serving on the Board of Directors, the Membership Committee, and contributing to the Future Leaders program. Additionally, I'm a proud member of the Ambler Rotary Club. In my professional life, I engage in various aspects of the funeral industry, providing support to fellow funeral directors by covering vacation time, offering funeral directing assistance when friends are occupied, and specializing in embalming, dressings, and airbrush cosmetics.
OGR: Is there anything else we should know about you?
PU: I am dedicated to staying informed about industry trends and best practices, and I'm always eager to embrace new challenges and opportunities. I enjoy cooking when I have the time. I often create recipes inspired by the animals I've hunted, and especially enjoy creating sauces. On a personal note, my children are remarkably similar to me, much to my wife's occasional dismay. We are proudly raising them in a home located right behind the funeral home, fostering a sense of tradition and community in our family. I'm a proud third-generation funeral director, and it's my hope that our tradition will continue with a fourth generation in our children.