Peter Louis Singer

Peter Louis "Pete" Singer, age 54, passed away on May 1, 2025, in Oakdale, Minnesota. Born on October 23, 1970, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Pete's life was defined by a deep commitment to justice, compassion, and the unwavering belief that every person deserves to be seen, heard, and protected.
Pete graduated from New Life Christian School in 1989 and initially pursued a career in medicine at Cedarville College. However, his passion for social justice led him down a different path-one that would shape the rest of his life. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Northwestern College and went on to receive his Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Minnesota. With these credentials, he became a licensed social worker and began a lifelong mission to serve individuals and families impacted by trauma.
Throughout his career, Pete worked with numerous organizations including Focus Homes, Nekton, The Common Link, Family Innovations, and Clearwater Counseling. In each role, he provided in-home support and psychotherapy services that helped countless individuals navigate complex emotional landscapes. A pivotal moment came when he heard a powerful message by Victor Vieth about child abuse prevention-an experience that ignited a new purpose within him.
In 2004, Pete founded Care in Action Minnesota, a nonprofit dedicated to building bridges between churches and child protection agencies. His goal was clear: to prevent child maltreatment and support families already affected by it. Through this work, he educated communities about the profound impact of both historical and lived trauma on family systems.
In 2012, Pete launched Advanced Trauma Consulting. Through this agency, he offered consultation services, staff debriefings, and program development for organizations such as the Zero Abuse Project, school systems, and healthcare providers. His insights helped shape trauma-informed practices across multiple sectors.
Pete's dedication culminated in his role as Executive Director of GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment), where he championed the mission "to empower Christian communities to recognize, prevent, and respond to abuse." He traveled nationally to speak on trauma-informed care and child protection and authored several literary works to share his knowledge more broadly. His voice became one of the most trusted in the field of abuse prevention within faith-based settings.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Pete was a man of many passions. He was an avid collector of baseball cards-amassing over 120,000 throughout his life and proudly completed the 1961 Topps Premium set before his passing. His love for science fiction was lifelong; Doctor Who and Star Trek were constant companions through the years.
Pete also found joy in games-especially those shared with loved ones. He cherished playing Pokémon with his grandson Jesse and delighted in any opportunity to gather around a game table with family or friends. Music was another cornerstone of his life; he had an uncanny ability to recall any song or lyric instantly and always had the perfect tune for every moment.
Pete is survived by his beloved wife Chris; children Andrew (Kelsey), Cassie, and Emily; grandchildren Jesse, Milo, and Arlo; parents Pete and Sandy; sister Tia; grandmother Dorothy; many cherished aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins; as well as mentors and friends who were deeply impacted by his presence. He never wasted a moment in advocating for those he loved-and for "the least of these" who had been abused or forgotten by others. Pete approached life with humility, empathy, and kindness. His legacy is one of tireless advocacy for children and families affected by trauma-a vision rooted not only in professional expertise but also in profound human compassion.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to support Pete's family via GoFundMe (https://gofund.me/ada1f5cd) or to GRACE (https://www.netgrace.org/donate), continuing the work that meant so much to him.
Pete Singer was an extraordinary man whose heart beat for justice and healing. May his memory be a guiding light for all who continue the work he so passionately began. A Visitation will be held on May 15, 2025, from 05:00 PM to 07:00 PM at Woodbury Community Church 2975 Pioneer Drive. A Celebration of Life will be held on May 16, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 01:00 PM at King of Kings Lutheran Church 1583 Radio Drive. Lunch reception will follow the service at King of Kings Lutheran Church.