George I. Peterson

George Irwin Peterson, born in Boston, Massachusetts on February 27, 1931, to Nicholas Ellsworth Peterson (native of Suttons Bay, MI) and Julia Brooks McClure Peterson (native of Vandergrift, PA) passed away peacefully at home in Kalamazoo, Michigan on May 28, 2026, in the loving care of his family, Centrica Care Navigators and Visiting Angels of Southwest Michigan.

George grew up in Wellesley, MA, and spent many summers with friends in Cape Cod or family in Suttons Bay, MI. He followed in his father’s footsteps for two years at Albion College, then earning his B.A. from the University of Michigan. Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in Germany during the Korean War before returning for an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan School of Business. In 1957, he was recruited by The Upjohn Company, where he began a 35-year career in market research and strategic planning, ultimately earning the William E. Upjohn Prize.

After retiring from The Upjohn Company, he joined good friends Scott Anderson and Bryce Cobb to found the outplacement consulting group Anderson Peterson Cobb. His favorite career was spending time doting on his grandchildren.

George was deeply committed to his community. He was a member of St. Luke’ Episcopal Church for more than 65 years, volunteering regularly as an usher, helping develop a long-range plan, and serving on the vestry. He was appointed to and subsequently elected chairman of the Kalamazoo Planning Commission. He played an integral role moving books to the appropriate locations to help with the on-time desegregation of Kalamazoo Public Schools in 1971. He was a dedicated member of the Rotary Club of Kalamazoo, where he was a Paul Harris Fellow and was involved in bringing great speakers to present to the club.

He became known as “Coach Peterson” to many seasons of young skaters in the Kalamazoo Optimist Hockey Association. A highlight of his coaching career was attending a U.S.A. Hockey Coaching Clinic at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs where his Master Coach Thesis became the curriculum for the Learn to Skate program in Kalamazoo, which exists to this day. He brought his Boston pond-hockey skills as a defenseman to the adult hockey league.

George derived great joy in cheering his grandchildren in their many sports, dance, theater, and musical productions. He was always up for an interesting conversation and was regularly sought out by others for advice on a myriad of issues. He was very giving of his time, shared his wisdom freely and never had a harsh word to say about anyone and made it his business to find the best in everyone he worked with. He could be usually found with a good book in one hand and a highlighter in the other, typically sitting on his screened-in porch or near a body of water.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Amy Ballagh Peterson of Kalamazoo; Amy’s son, James (Corina) Greig of Annapolis MD; his children, Gail (Rick Howrey) Peterson of Keller, TX, and Robert (Christine Laaksonen) Peterson of Vicksburg, MI; their mother, Judith Peterson of Lawton, MI. Also surviving are grandchildren, Katie, Matt, Jack, Maddy (Tony), Nate and Lucas; nephews, Nick (Kristine) Peterson of Boulder, CO; and many beloved cousins and extended family members. He was preceded in death by older sister, Alice Peterson; twin brother, Richard Peterson; and niece, Nancy Peterson.