Dr. Albert Paul Peter, 72, of rural Quincy, Illinois, passed away Thursday, May 21, 2015, at St. Vincent’s Home in Quincy, IL. At the time of his death, he was a retired, well-respected livestock nutritionist with an outstanding reputation in his field. “Pete”, as he was most commonly called, was born on September 20, 1942 in Quincy, Illinois to Paul Alfred Peter and Ruth Ann (Klingele) Peter of Fowler, Illinois. He married Mary Ann (Hebron) Peter on July 27, 1968 at St. Edward’s Church in Mendon, IL. She survives.
Pete began his career with Moorman Manufacturing Company of Quincy, IL in 1967 and served in multiple roles over his 24-year tenure, ranging from Sales Coordinator to Manager of Beef Research, and then Vice President and General Manager of Enterprise VI Subsidiary. In 1991, Pete started his own nutrition consulting business, MAP Enterprises. He also joined his brother Ross at Nutrition 101 Inc. where he served as Vice President until his retirement in 2008.
Pete attended Unity High School and was active in the FFA, 4-H, and the photography club. During his formative years he enjoyed playing 4-H league softball and square dancing. After graduating from Unity High School in 1960, he attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign earning a B.S. in Animal Sciences in 1965 as well as both Masters (’67) and Doctoral (’71) degrees in Ruminant Nutrition. While at the University of Illinois he was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho Professional and Social Fraternity and was also a member of a National Champion Livestock Judging Team. During college and graduate school, Pete served in the 183rd Civil Engineering Fleet as a Sergeant in the Air National Guard of Illinois and Air Force Reserve.
Pete was an active leader in both his personal and professional life. Pete was a member of St. Edwards Catholic Church, Mendon, IL and St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Quincy, IL. He served on the St. Edwards Parish Council for numerous years and actively enjoyed butchering day in preparation for the annual Pancake and Sausage Breakfast. Pete was a School Board Member for Community Unit District #4, Mendon, IL; on the Mendon Public Library Board when they built the new library; and was Vice President of the North Adams Home Board of Directors.
As a lifelong fan of the University of Illinois, he was on the Advisory Board for establishing the Orr Beef Research Center in Perry, IL. Pete also served on the Research Committee for the Illinois Council on Food and Agricultural Research and was a member of the Adams County Extension Board. He was an active member of the American Feed Industry Association Nutrition Council serving in numerous roles and was eventually elected Chairman of the Nutrition Council. He was a member of the American Society of Animal Science, and a charter member of the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists.
In his spare time, Pete loved spending time with his family and especially being “PawPaw” to his grandchildren later in life. Pete was actively involved, being everything from Little League Baseball Coach to 4-H Club Leader. Pete enjoyed raising livestock including swine and cattle, established his own purebred Simmental herd, and was drawn to the Red Angus breed later in life. You could often find Pete filling feeders at 11 PM after attending his children’s games and activities throughout the week.
Pete was born with a green thumb and was passionate about his garden and small orchard. He blessed many family and friends with the fruits and vegetables of his labor. His specialties were tomatoes, corn, asparagus, and peaches; but he was especially proud of the many blue ribbons he won for his pears at the Adams County Fair.
Pete was very humble and unassuming, had an infectious personality, and a quick, dry wit. In Pete’s world, everybody and just about everything needed a nickname. The list of nicknames and monikers that Pete had for people, animals, and even everyday objects is long and storied. He was a treasure-trove of both funny and very meaningful knowledge that will continue to amuse and guide his family in the years to come.
Pete leaves behind the love of his life, Mary Ann, his wife of 47 years; two daughters, Allison Sass (Christian) of Elgin, IL and Stephanie Peter Love (Patrick) of Mount Pleasant, SC; a son, Christopher Peter (Stephanie) of Noblesville, IN; seven grandchildren, Charlotte, Evan, Aaron James (A.J.), and Paul Daniel Sass; and Victoria, Jocelynn, and Genevieve Peter; two sisters, Judy Duesterhaus (Robert) of Quincy, IL and Mary Rea (Richard) of Carthage, IL; two brothers, Ross Peter (Carolyn) of Estero, FL and Raymond Peter (Kay) of Fowler, IL; and a plethora of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his grandson, Kelton Peter; a brother-in-law, Robert Leach; a nephew, Ryan Peter; and a niece, Michelle Duesterhaus Tang.
Services: 10 AM Thursday, May 28th, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Quincy, IL, with Msgr. Leo Enlow officiating. Internment immediately following at Calvary Cemetery, Quincy, IL.
Visitation: 4 to 7 PM Wednesday, May 27th, memorial visitation will be held at Duker-Haugh Funeral Home in Quincy.
Memorials: St. Louis Children’s Hospital-Forever Kelton Memorial Endowment, Blessing Hospice, Chaddock, and St. Peter’s Catholic Church
Arrangements: Duker-Haugh Funeral Home, Quincy, IL
Website: www.dukerand haugh.com