Peter M. Jonas, PhD

Whitefish Bay - Peter Mark Jonas, PhD passed away unexpectedly on April 22 at the age of 64. He is survived by his wife Nancy; daughters Katie (Andre) and Melanie (Sean); son Kevin (Katie); grandchildren Elyse, Clara, Davis, Nina, Ian, and Cole; one grandchild-to-be; mother Nancy; sister Sara; and brothers Jack, Tim, and Dan and their spouses. He was preceded in death by his father Jack.

Peter was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and professor. His greatest pleasures in life were helping and spending time with his family, the Green Bay Packers, and his Harley motorcycle. Peter was born and raised in Ripon, Wisconsin, before earning a bachelor's degree from Carthage College and doctorate from Marquette University.

Peter was committed to his career in higher education and loved using humor in his teaching pedagogy. He served in a number of roles during his 41 years at Stritch: associate dean in the College of Business, director of institutional research, and coordinator of strategic planning and assessment. In 1998, Peter helped launch Stritch's doctoral program. As a professor, he shaped the lives of countless students, forging lasting friendships with many along the way.

A private service will be held for family and close friends at St. Monica's Parish. In lieu of flowers, monetary donations can be sent to the charity of your choice.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel from Apr. 26 to Apr. 28, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Peter Jonas

Sponsored by Feerick Funeral Home - Shorewood.

34 Entries

Nancy Vandenberg McLaughlin

August 13, 2021

I am so sorry for your loss. Peter was a great guy with a wonderful sense of humor! I attended Carthage College with Peter.

Lynmarie Schalk-Svec

July 10, 2021

My heartfelt condolences to the Jonas family!

Marilyn Reedy - Cohort #3

May 23, 2021

Peter was a gifted man that loved learning, loved teaching and loved life! We are all better educators - better individuals because of Peter's leadership. Thanks to his dear family for sharing him with all of us, our prayers are with you.

Brianne DiPasquantonio

May 4, 2021

You sure were a big deal, Peter. An incredible teacher, mentor, friend. The world is a better place because of you.

Krista LaFave

May 4, 2021

Sending my sympathies to the Jonas family. I have fond memories of our families spending time together while our parents did races, and I'm so sorry for your loss.

Chris Leadley

May 2, 2021

Peter’s family lived close to us, and our kids attended school together. My recollection is of Peter refereeing soccer matches, another thing at which he excelled. His book ‘Soccer is Fun Without Parents’ is at once insightful and brilliantly entertaining. God definitely broke the mold when he made Peter. I wish I’d gotten to know him better.

Margaret Marshall

April 30, 2021

My deepest sympathies to you and your family, Nancy. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this painful time.

Cheryl Kinlow, PhD

April 29, 2021

Dr. Jonas, thanks for the correction and guidance with my dissertation. I will never forget you; your quick wit, and the ability to engage and make everyone comfortable during your lectures. May God comfort his family in the continued days to come!

Kevin Pitel and Family

April 29, 2021

Jonas Family, I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Jonas. He was a great man who left such an impact on those who were lucky enough to have known him - sharing his knowledge, smile, and kindness. Please accept my prayers and sympathies on your loss.

Tanya Bissen

April 29, 2021

I was so honored to have Dr. Jonas as a professor AND a colleague. He had a natural talent in making everyone feel welcomed and appreciated. I'll miss his bad dad jokes and stat humor. Heaven gained an incredible angel. Thank you Peter for positively impacting so many lives. You will be missed.

Josh Bastianello

April 28, 2021

Peter was such a welcoming person. I got to know him well through his noon basketball league. The "commissioner," as we called him, was the kind of guy who would give you the shirt off his back. He will be greatly missed. My condolences.

Mary Anne Butscher

April 28, 2021

Nancy & Family
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well
lived.
I worked at Stritch during Peter's early years. Many Fond Memories. Our daughter, Clare and son Joseph
were students at Cardinal Stritch during that time.
Love & Prayers, Mary Anne Butscher

Marcia Laskey

April 28, 2021

I was sadden to hear about Peter’s passing. When I worked at
Stritch he was my friend, my teacher, and on my doctoral committee. My condolences go to Peter’s family.

Marcia Laskey Ed.D

Jan Eckola

April 28, 2021

I was so saddened to hear the news about Dr. Jonas. I consider myself one of the fortunate ones who had Peter as a teacher in the Cardinal Stritch Doctoral Program. He was an amazing educator and leader. Over the years, I would run into him at conferences, and he always made you feel happy after talking to him. He had a kind spirit, was one of the quickest wits, and just a good human being. I feel fortunate to have studied with him. He was a gift! Blessings to his family during these difficult times.

Karen Coy-Romano

April 28, 2021

I am deeply saddened by our educational community's loss of Dr. Jonas. My deepest condolences go out to Nancy, his family and friends. I will never forget his teaching pedagogy as part of the Leadership Coaching program at Cardinal Stritch University. I still have his power points as inspirational reminders--told with such humor--everything we needed to remember as we work with members of our communities. He was one of the best--as an educator--and as a role model for all of us. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Karen J. Coy-Romano, CFRE MS
President, SOLUTIONS UNLIMITED

Rest with God, Dr. Peter Jonas. I will remember the lessons you taught. Thank you. You have helped me so much on my journey to becoming a researcher. You loved statistical jokes! Here is one in remembrance of you and your humor.<br />Alice Bel

Alice Belcher

April 27, 2021

Ronald Mejia, Ph.D.

April 27, 2021

Prayers of consolation and support for the Jonas family during the time of great loss. May I thank you Peter for your many contributions to the Cardinal Stritch programs, especially for the opportunity to share your knowledge and experience with me. I am truly indebted for your gift. I will remember the Jonas family in Masses during the first week of May, the month of the Blessed Mother.

Catherine Kiaie

April 27, 2021

Peter was one of a kind. He was smart, kind, insightful and one of the funniest men I have ever met. He made being in faculty meetings bearable. I appreciated his dedication to his family, to his colleagues, to Stritch and his students. He will be missed tremendously by so many. RIP dear friend.

Senior Olympian Racquetballer Peter with his 2 Golds in 2018!

Jack Orchard

April 27, 2021

We have been sidelined for over a year but were so looking forward to renewing our Mon-Wed-Fri-Sat 6AM matches. None of us will forget you, Peter.

Gary Kasza

April 27, 2021

My sorrows to my friend and Morning racquetball friend of 15yrs. My sorrows to the family. RIP.

R Scott Pierce

April 27, 2021

My deepest condolences to the Jonas family in your loss as well as Peter's Stritch Family. I was honored to be one of Peter's students in the doctoral program. He was always a positive leader in the doctoral program and supported all students he worked with. A tragic loss to the Jonas family and again, Peter's extended Stritch family.

Jacqueline Lichter

April 27, 2021

Rest In Peace good and faithful servant! Your life, work and joy touched many people.

Rob Harrington

April 27, 2021

I just heard the news and I'm heartbroken. Peter made me smarter and happier. What more could one ask for? My thoughts and love are with the entire Jonas family.

Ricardo Anderson

April 27, 2021

Dr. Jonas was very inspirational during my time as a doctoral candidate at Stritch. After graduation, Dr. Jonas was active in helping me by providing me with his expertise in pursuing reputable publication companies. He offered his honest thoughts if the company was legitimate or a scam. We were communicating recently on Linkedin about some upcoming projects I was looking into and I knew Dr. Jonas would provide me sound advice.
My condolences and prayers goes out to his family, friends, and coworkers. Dr. Jonas you will be greatly missed and I have been blessed for us to have crossed paths, thank you for your time and energy you allowed me to have in your life, Ricardo

William Anderson II

April 27, 2021

Thank you Peter for your service to me and many others. You introduced me to Kent Nerburn and this quote is living reflection of your leadership. "Our lives are our witness, and our witness is our legacy. It is what lives on in the world after we are gone. If our witness is to selfishness, our eternal legacy is one of selfishness. If our witness is to love and kindness and the best of the human heart, it is that which will live on in the hearts of others after we are gone". Please tell Jesus a joke or two...three....

Juanita Lee

April 27, 2021

Dr. Peter Jonas will be greatly missed! To his wife and family, many prayers are with you.

Connie Popp

April 27, 2021

I was blessed to be at Cardinal Stritch at the very beginning of the Doctoral Program that Peter helped create. Peter was such a great teacher and, more importantly, a wonderful human being. Thank you Peter for sharing your gifts with us all. We are better for having known you. With gratitude, Connie Popp

Laura Romero

April 27, 2021

My husband and I will always remember him as a great human being and an extraordinary university professor and researcher. My husband did not speak too much English and Peter tried to communicate in Spanish with him. Peter was always a defender of the good causes. Peter is in the heaven team now. Rest in peace. My condolences to his wife Nancy, children, and grandchildren. From family Cabrera-Romero.

Carol shady

April 27, 2021

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Colleen Merrill Brown

April 27, 2021

My deepest heartfelt condolences to Peter's wife, mother, family and all that knew him. He touched so many lives - and we are better for it! "Life is nothing without a good sense of humor" - John Waters

Heidi Erstad

April 26, 2021

Heart breaking news. Dr Jonas was a wonderful teacher and an all around good human. I’m sending my love and thoughts to his family and to all of the Stritch students like me whose lives are better from knowing him.

Rosalie Daca

April 26, 2021

My condolences to Peter's family. I feel blessed to have been a part of his classes for 3 years. He is a true inspiration to us all. His passion for education shined through everything he did. RIP Peter. You still, are a "really big deal".

Eileen Depka

April 26, 2021

My heart goes out to Peter's family. Such a terrible loss. The educational community will greatly miss Peter's expertise and exceptional talents in his field.

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