Editing Peter Debye (section)

===Family and personal life===
Peter Debye was described as a martinet when it came to scientific principles, yet he was always approachable and made time for his students. His personal philosophy emphasized a fulfillment of purpose and enjoyment in one's work. Debye was an avid trout fisherman and gardener, collector of cacti, and was "always known to enjoy a nice cigar".<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Davies|first=Mansel|date=1970|title=Peter Joseph Wilhelm Debye. 1884–1966|journal=Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society|volume=16|pages=175–232|jstor=769588|doi=10.1098/rsbm.1970.0007|doi-access=free}}</ref>

While in Berlin as an assistant to [[Arnold Sommerfeld]], Debye became acquainted with Mathilde Alberer.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jEy67gEvIuMC&q=mathilde+debye&pg=PA230|title=Nobel Laureates in Chemistry, 1901–1992|last=Laylin|first=James K.|date=1993-10-30|publisher=Chemical Heritage Foundation|isbn=9780841226906|language=en}}</ref> Mathilde was the daughter of the proprietor of the boarding house in which Debye was staying.<ref name=":1" /> Mathilde would soon change her citizenship and in 1913, Debye married Mathilde Alberer.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> Debye would enjoy working in his rose garden with Mathilde Alberer late into his years.<ref name=":0" /> They had a son, Peter P. Debye (1916–2012), and a daughter, Mathilde Maria (1921–1991).{{citation needed|date=July 2023}} Peter became a physicist and collaborated with Debye in some of his research,{{citation needed|date=July 2023}} and had a son who was also a chemist.<ref name=":2">[http://www.towson.edu/applications/dailydigest/databases/news/20091012_114742AM_joschmid_293.asp Towson University Daily Digest] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120112218/http://www.towson.edu/applications/dailydigest/databases/news/20091012_114742AM_joschmid_293.asp |date=2011-11-20 }}. Towson.edu. Retrieved on 2012-07-25.</ref>

Debye was a faithful Catholic<ref>{{Cite journal|doi = 10.1098/rsbm.1970.0007|title = Peter Joseph Wilhelm Debye, 1884-1966|journal = Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society|year = 1970|volume = 16|pages = 175–232|s2cid = 72952631|doi-access = free}}</ref> who insisted his family go to church.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ginkel |first=G. van |title=Prof. Peter J. W. Debye (1884–1966) in 1935 – 1945: brilliant scientist – gifted teacher; an investigation of historical sources |date=2006 |publisher=RIPCN |isbn=978-90-393-4284-8 |location=s.l.}}</ref>