From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Peter R. Gimbel (February 14, 1927 - July 12, 1987) was an American filmmaker and underwater photojournalist. Born in New York City, Peter was the son of Bernard Gimbel and heir to the Gimbels department store chain.  After serving in the United States Army occupation force in Japan in 1946-1947, he graduated from Yale University in 1951, earning degrees in both English and economics.  He spent ten years as an investment banker but after the death of his ...