Peter Gerhard Peitz

1937 - 2024

After a full life of hard work and unsurpassed philanthropy, Peter Gerhard Peitz passed away in Mountain Home, Arkansas, on Nov. 26, 2024.

Born in Munich, Germany, on May 24, 1937, to Heinrich and Elisabeth Peitz, he attended school in Germany and Switzerland before being groomed by his father to lead the family business. Trained as a professional tailor, Peter worked in the garment industry, including time on London's Savile Row. He then earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management from New York University, where he served as president of the Foreign Student Association.

Peter worked as a consultant across the U.S. before purchasing what became White River Industries in Cotter, Arkansas, in 1970, employing over 300 people. He helped develop Avenues, a company dedicated to developing clothing for paraplegics and quadriplegics, including a best-selling cape for wheelchair users that Peter designed. White River Industries later acquired outdoor brand Mountainsmith and operated in downtown Cotter until 1997.

Peter chose to make Cotter, Arkansas, his home instead of Evergreen, Colorado, and his spirit is evident throughout the community. He received the Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce Chairman's Award in 2010 and 2020, served on the Cotter City Council and chaired the Cotter Planning Commission.

He supported local youth by donating land and buildings for the Norfork Youth Center, and mentoring seventh and eighth graders in the Choices program as a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow. Recognizing the need for cancer treatment and support, he founded the Peitz Cancer Support House and also supported the Baxter Health Foundation.

Peter met his beautiful wife, Jan, at the Foundation's first fundraiser in 1994. They married in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, and settled on the bluffs of the White River in Cotter. Together, they created the Jan and Peter Peitz Nursing Education Center at Arkansas State University-Mountain Home. Peter's vision serving on the Board of Directors for the Food Bank of North Central Arkansas helped the organization expand into a larger, more modern facility. He was on the Board of Directors for Citizens Bank in Flippin, and helped found the Bank of Branson, where you can find the Peter G. Peitz Conference Room.

An avid outdoorsman, Peter enjoyed downhill and cross country skiing, hunting with his sons, Lance and Grant, and motorcycle trips in the Ozarks and abroad to Morocco, Mexico, Norway and more. He was a Staff Sergeant in the US Air Force Reserve. Peter piloted an arduous trans-Atlantic flight from the United States to Europe. He was also a co-owner of the White River Scenic Railroad and was instrumental in providing incentive for the Peitz River Lights on Cotter Bridge. He loved symphonies, jazz and the blues.

Peter was preceded in death by two sons, Peter Ralph "Petie" Peitz and Bradley Nelson Peitz; their mother, Kay Peitz; and brothers Pilly, Helmut, Guenther and Walter.

He is survived by his wife, Jan; sons Grant (Becky) Ringler, Lance (Cindy) Ringler; grandchildren, Lindy (Brayden), Regan, Matthew, Courtney, Thane (Evan); sister Charlotte Frye; three great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to the Peitz Cancer Support House, Food Bank of North Central Arkansas, North Arkansas Youth Center in Cotter or Hospice of the Ozarks.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, at Kirby & Family Funeral Home

A Celebration of Life will be 11` a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. John Fleming and Tom Frase officiating.

Burial will be at Walnut Cemetery in Cotter, Arkansas.

Arrangements are by Kirby and Family Funeral and Cremation Services-Mountain Home, Arkansas. Visit an online obituary and guestbook at www.kirbyandfamily.com