Peter was born January 21, 1932, in Quincy, the son of Urban J. and Margaret Blaesing Peter. Peter's stepfather was Edmond M. Moyer, whom Margaret married following the death of Urban. Peter married Patricia Katherine Dyer on October 4, 1951. Following the death of Patricia, he married Carol Gibson Manyx on November 13, 1993.

Peter attended Quincy College, and in 1950 he joined the architectural firm of Charles F. Behrensmeyer, later to become Behrensmeyer & Horn, and Frank Horn and Associates. With Don Meyer, the firm eventually became Meyer-Peter, Architects-Engineers, and was responsible for some of the most recognized buildings in the tri-state area, including Quincy Senior High, Baldwin School, St. Anthony Church, First Union Congregational Church and the Quincy Public Library. Peter served on the Architectural Examining Committee for Illinois and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. He was a member of the American Institute of Architects.

Following family tradition, Peter was also active in local politics and government. He was elected to the Adams County Board and became Board Chairman in 1974. He served in that position several additional terms before he retired from the board in 1996. In 1996, he ran for the position of Adams County Treasurer. In addition to his service on the County Board, he was active in Republican politics and served as a delegate to the 1988 Republican National Convention in New Orleans. He was active in the Illinois Association of County Officials and served as president in 1987.

While in Quincy, Peter was a member of numerous local organizations, including St. Peter Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus (Third and Fourth Degree), the Elks, Toastmasters, Mart Heinen Club, the Exchange Club, South Side Boat Club, Twin Oaks, and the Quincy Country Club. Peter was also an avid private pilot.

Peter moved to Naples with his wife Carol a decade ago. In Naples, he was active in the condominium association of the Glades Country Club and was director of architecture at Kalvin Design Studio.

Survivors in addition to his wife Carol include: 2 sons, Tony Peter and his wife Sue of Snellville, GA, and Steve Peter and his wife Susan, of Edison, NJ; 2 grandchildren: Bryan Peter and his wife Sarah of Lawrenceville, GA, and Traci Peter and her fiance Jon Geganto of Ft. Collins, CO; a great-grandson: Devin Peter of Lawrenceville, GA; a sister-in-law: Nancy Moyer of Mason City, IA; and three nieces: Kristin Andrews and her husband Aaron of Mason City, IA, Karen Moyer of Mason City, IA, and Katie Brown and her husband Brian of Aurora, IL.

Services:  10 a.m. Saturday, August 23, 2008 at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home with the Father Phil Hoebing officiating.  Burial will be in St. Boniface Cemetery.

Visitation:  4 to 7 p.m. Friday, August 22, 2008 at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home.

Memorials:  St. Ann Catholic Church of Naples, the East Naples United Methodist Church, or the American Institute of Architects Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 929, Naples, FL 34106

Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.