Peter Nelson

Ad man and longtime Barrington resident Peter "Pete" Nelson passed away peacefully at the age of 81 on January 22, 2014 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend, Pete was born and raised in Oak Park, Illinois. After graduating from Oak Park High School in 1950, Pete received his Business degree from Monmouth College in 1954 where he was a member of the Theta Chi fraternity and played both baseball and basketball. He was a Veteran serving in the U.S. Army and stationed in Japan. Pete began a distinguished advertising career in Chicago during the Mad Men era of the mid-'50's starting in the mailroom of Needham, Louis and Brorby, Inc. (now DDB Worldwide Communications Group). He rose through the ranks leading such accounts as State Farm Insurance and General Mills to become the agency's (then called Needham, Harper & Steers) President & COO by the early 1980's. But it was securing the McDonald's account for the agency in the early '70's that led to his life-long long association with the Golden Arches. In 1984, he transitioned to McDonald's corporate to run domestic marketing and new country development until his retirement in 1990. He was a member of AAAA (American Association of Advertising Agencies) and was on the Board of Directors of such companies as the Del Webb Corporation and Hamilton Stores. He also gave back to his alma mater and served in the college's Senate. Pete was an avid golfer and horseman. Addicted to the game ("There is always room for improvement"), he was a member of Barrington Hills Country Club and the Lake Zurich Golf Club in the Chicago suburbs as well as Desert Forest Golf Club in Carefree, Arizona. Before the term "City Slicker" was coined, he fell in love with the West and for over 45 years made numerous annual outings with his wife Peggy to Eaton's Ranch located at the base of the Big Horn Mountains outside of Sheridan, Wyoming. As an active member of Rancheros Visitadores for over 30 years, he had served as the Los Gringos Camp Captain and looked forward to the annual trail ride near Santa Barbara, California where he had made life-long friends. He is survived by his wife Peggy of 53 years, his son Charlie, daughter-in-law Stacey, two grandchildren, Sophie and Chase, and older brother Jack Nelson. Whether in business or his personal life, what you saw is what you got - a man who was spirited, passionate, smart and real. In lieu of services, donations can be made to the Ronald McDonald House Charities at www.RMHC.org or by calling (630) 623-8391.