Ralph W. Peters

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Ralph W. Peters, of Liberty, Missouri, passed away on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 following complications from Alzheimer's disease.

Ralph was born on July 5, 1944 in Detroit, Michigan to Wayne and Pauline (Rockey) Peters. The middle of five children, Ralph grew up on Cub Lake in Hillsdale, Michigan. As a teenager, he met his lifelong love Janet, whose family lived across the lake. Ralph’s parents ran the Cub Lake Roller Rink, where Ralph perfected his skating skills and competed with his siblings on a speed roller skating team. After graduating from Hillsdale High School and Eastern Michigan University, he enlisted in the US Army in 1966 and was commissioned as an officer in 1967. Following active duty, he remained in the Reserves and attained the rank of Captain.

Ralph and Janet married in 1968 and settled in Toledo, Ohio where their children were born. Ralph's career took the family from Toledo to Cleveland, Ohio; Batesville, Mississippi; and eventually to Liberty, Missouri in 1981. Ralph retired from W.W. Grainger in 2006.

Family was always a priority. As Ralph and Janet raised their children in Liberty, he was very involved in his kids’ extracurricular activities. Later, as his grandchildren grew up in San Antonio, Ralph and Janet made countless road trips down I-35 to spend as much time with them as possible. They were his joy and he kept them entertained with his childlike sense of play.

Ralph’s many hobbies included golf, sailing, fly-fishing, cheering on the Detroit Tigers and Michigan Wolverines, and hitting the open road on his Harley. He was an avid hiker, making over 20 trips to Rocky Mountain National Park. His hiking took him to the top of Long's Peak and to the bottom of the Grand Canyon with his son. He loved to travel, and especially loved road trips exploring national parks. He visited 48 states and traveled several times to Europe, but his favorite destination was returning to Cub Lake as often as possible. There he enjoyed sailing, waterskiing, sunsets, stargazing, and beers by the bonfire, but the best part of the lake for Ralph was sharing good times with family.

Ralph was always curious about the world. He started his education in a one-room country schoolhouse, but never stopped learning and seemed to know a little something about everything. He loved a good debate and could often be found explaining a topic by drawing it out on a napkin over the dinner table. Even as his family may have rolled their eyes at the time, how we wish we had those napkins now and could again hear him start an explanation with the familiar, "Let me show you something"! He loved all types of music, had an amazing ability to whistle a tune, and had such a beautiful singing voice that his college fraternity brothers would ask him to serenade their sweethearts. He had great sense of humor and loved to tease and play jokes. Even as his Alzheimer's progressed, his sense of humor remained, and he kept his family laughing.

Most of all, Ralph will be remembered for always making time for those he loved. He was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. We will forever be grateful for his impact on our lives.

Ralph is survived by his loving wife Janet; son Geoff and wife Ann Marie and grandchildren Kelsey, Kyle and Bridget of San Antonio, TX; daughter Jennifer Peters of Kansas City, Missouri; brothers Daniel and Ross Peters; sister Susan Woods; and a large extended family. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother David.

Visitation will begin at 2:00 pm, followed by a service celebrating Ralph's life at 3:00 pm, on Monday, November 9, at Park Lawn Northland Chapel, I-35 at State Route 291, Liberty. Military honors will follow the service. The service will be live-streamed. You may visit Ralph's obituary at www.parklawnfunerals.com and access a link to view the service at 3:00 pm. Private burial at Leavenworth National Cemetery.

The family requests no flowers, and suggests memorials to the Heart of America Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association or to the Cameron Veterans' Home Assistance League.

You may share a message with the family or sign an on-line guest book via www.parklawnfunerals.com. Arrangements: Park Lawn Northland Chapel (816) 781-8228.

**Please click HERE to be directed to service live-stream link**

**Please click HERE to be directed to service live-stream link**

Visitation will begin at 2:00 pm, followed by a service celebrating Ralph’s life at 3:00 pm, on Monday, November 9, at Park Lawn Northland Chapel, I-35 at State Route 291, Liberty. Military honors will follow the service. The service will be live-streamed. You may visit Ralph’s obituary at www.parklawnfunerals.com and access a link to view the service at 3:00 pm. Private burial at Leavenworth National Cemetery.

The family requests no flowers, and suggests memorials to the Heart of America Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association or to the Cameron Veterans’ Home Assistance League.