Peter Maas

He wasn’t very tall, but he cast a long shadow. Not even Peter J. Maas, who died Nov. 29, probably ever realized the strong impact he made on the many lives he touched. After courageously and silently battling cancer and other ailments for several years, Peter left this world peacefully.

He was surrounded his last few days at home by his favorite people – his wife Karen, daughter Susan, sons Paul and Robert and grandchildren William, Charles, Bridget and Violet – who had gathered to celebrate Pete’s 70th birthday and Thanksgiving. Although ailing, Peter refused to go to the hospital, not wanting to spoil the holiday for his loved ones.

He finally gave in on Friday, but never returned home.

Peter was a strong, sardonic man who worked hard and always strove for perfection. He expected it from himself and also wanted others to aim that high. If they failed or didn’t live up to his expectations, he let them know, but in a manner that got his point across without drawing blood.

Born in Appleton, Wisconsin to Harry and Elizabeth Maas, Peter grew up in Madison. His work ethic was set early as he worked as a newsboy and earned extra money shoveling snow. Pete attended Madison Edgewood High School, a Catholic school, and proudly paid his own tuition. One of the highlights of his youth was playing coronet in the Madison Scouts drum corps, which allowed him to travel all over the country. After graduating from Edgewood, Peter attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, earning a degree in journalism.

He entered the Booth Newspaper training program and in 1967 came to the Kalamazoo Gazette as a reporter. That same year he married Teresa Lorscheider, and in 1969 their daughter Susan was born. Tragedy struck in 1971 when Terry died of lymphoma.

A fighter, Peter continued on. He met Karen Mylenbusch and they were wed Sept, 29, 1973. The family grew with the additions of sons Paul and Bob. Peter was extremely proud of his children and also delighted in becoming a grandfather. He relished telling anyone who would listen of their achievements and shenanigans.

At the Gazette, Peter progressed from the role of reporter to that of copy editor on the city desk, where he helped mold and shape the talents of many youngsters. “He was a journalist’s journalist,” wrote Paul Keep, who went on to become a publisher in the Booth chain. “I told Pete he was 100 percent correct when he labeled me a prima donna.” Another former Gazetter, Mark Hornbeck, remembers Pete as “a tough but fair editor who invariably improved copy.”

Petums, as he was often called, was not only a great editor, but also a formidable writer. In 1980 when a tornado ripped through Kalamazoo and wreaked huge damage on the downtown mall, Pete wrote the cover story for a special morning edition that was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. “It was brutal and beautiful, eloquent in its chilling, not-a-word wasted, artful understatement. No hyperventilating. No overblown exaggeration. Just the news reported to perfection,” wrote former Gazette reporter Mark Fritz.

While he loved his newspaper life Peter foresaw what was coming and in 1984 he left the Gazette to work in the communications department at the Upjohn Company. He retired from Pfizer as Environmental Communications Manager in 2003.

Though he left the Gazette, Peter remained in contact with his friends there, spending time with them fishing, bowling and golfing and in “Geezer” gatherings to quaff a social beverage or three and retell old tales. His infectious laugh and sarcastic wit were always in evidence. And he was always renowned for his penchant to pun.

“One of my strongest memories of Pete (from his Upjohn days) was trying to draft everything I said or wrote in such a way that he wouldn’t be able to turn it into a series of awful puns. I never succeeded,” wrote Kaye Bennett.

Peter Maas was a man who was fun to be with and one who always had your back. Family came first, but you weren’t far behind.

Visit with the family and friends Thursday from 5-8 p.m. at Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler - Kalamazoo, 6080 Stadium Drive (375-2900). A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Augustine Cathedral. Members of his family include his wife, Karen; 3 children: Susan Maas (Steve Scofield), Paul (Susi) Maas, and Robert Maas; grandchildren: William, Charles, Bridget and Violet; and a sister, Betsy. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Charles; and his first wife, Teresa Lorscheider Maas. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff of the West Michigan Cancer Center, especially Dr. Marcia Liepman. Please visit Peter’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can read his life story, archive a photo or memory and sign his online guestbook. Memorial contributions may be made to the West Michigan Cancer Center.