Richard F. Peter

Richard F. Peter died peacefully in his sleep on June 23rd 2016 with his family beside him. Richard was born on May 24th 1932 in Longmont, Colorado to Arnold F. Peter and Matilda Burkey. On July 19, 1968 he married Virginia K. Nett in Worthington, Ohio. He is survived by his wife, Virginia and his sons, Gregory A. Peter (Cathy), Appleton, WI and Brian J. Peter (Minnie), Los Altos, CA; his grandchildren: Jordynn Peter, Darby Peter, and Theo Peter, and his sister, Sr. Justine Peter, Milwaukee, WI. He was preceded in death by his parents Arnold and Matilda Peter, brothers: Joseph (Reverend Vincent Peter), Arnold, Gerard, John, and sisters Anne and Rosemary. He received his bachelors degree from Holy Cross College in Canon City, Colorado, his Masters degree from Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, and his Ph.D. from the Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Richard was a dedicated teacher teaching at several different institutions during his career. He began teaching at Holy Cross High School in Canon City, Colorado and stayed for a number of years. He then led a group of missionaries to establish a vocational school for boys in Volcan, Panama in 1961. He returned to teach at Holy Cross in 1964. He obtained his doctorate in 1970, and then taught Technology Education at UW-Stout, Menomonie, WI for 22 years. Rich was a gifted woodworker and cabinet maker who built a retirement home for him and Virginia on Black Dan Lake in Winter, WI, where they lived for 16 years after retirement until they moved to Wausau, WI in 2011. Rich had many interests including woodworking, camping with his family all over the U.S., gardening and reading. After retirement he and Virginia traveled to Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Canada, and Mexico, but his favorite times were those spent with his children, grandchildren, and extended family. Rich's family wishes to express special gratitude to Dr. Islam and the Oncology nurses at the Marshfield Clinic in Weston who cared for Rich during the two years he had cancer, and also to the Asera Hospice workers who provided loving care in the last days. Funeral services will be held at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home 1302 6th Street, Wausau, WI at 1pm on Tuesday, June 28th with visitation at the funeral home from 11am-1pm preceding the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be given to the family who will establish a memorial fund for Richard Peter. The family will use the funds to support the hospice programs in Marathon County and St. Michael's Parish.