Jonathan L. Peterson

1964 - 2026

Jonathan L. Peterson
01/30/1964 - 02/10/2026
Jonathan L. Peterson, 62, passed away in the hospice care of his cousin, Linda Hasser, on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, after courageously battling oral cancer for nearly 30 years.
Born on January 30, 1964, in Lafayette, Indiana, he was the son of J. Edward and Judith Lee (Richards) Peterson. He attended St. Boniface Elementary School and graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1982, before attending Butler University, earning a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance (1986) and an MBA in Finance (1988).
From an early age Mr. Peterson knew he wanted to be involved in the arts, but in an administrative role. The first half of his career was devoted to music with fundraising positions of increasing responsibility at the Indianapolis Symphony, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, New World Symphony in Miami, and San Francisco Opera.
The second phase of his career was focused on the visual arts as he took the helm of fundraising at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art in 2010, as it was embarking on a $610 million campaign that would eventually top out at $640 million.
Mr. Peterson was soon recruited, in 2015 to lead a similar effort at the venerable Philadelphia Museum of Art, with its iconic "Rocky Steps". A major expansion of the PMA was planned by the visionary architect Frank Gehry. Originally envisioned as a $525 million campaign, it would finish at $608 million, making it the largest cultural fundraising campaign in Pennsylvania history.
An inveterate traveler until his death, Mr. Peterson visited all lower-48 states and over 30 countries in his lifetime. He was also an avid tennis fan throughout his life, and was passionate about cooking, fine wine, and entertaining friends and colleagues.
He is survived by his father, Ed, and brother, Jim Peterson, both of Lafayette, and many beloved cousins. Visitation will from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament in West Lafayette, IN followed directly by a Funeral Mass and burial in St. Mary Cemetery.
For memorial donations and condolences to the family please see the online obituary at www.fisherfuneralchapel.com