Peter Ross ’53

Peter grew up in the Chicago area, where he attended Lake Forest Academy. He majored in religion at Princeton and served as manager of the varsity football team.

He had a wonderful musical talent, and after teaching himself the ukulele, he became everyone’s favorite sing-along man. He performed a duet with Marty Hoffmann ’54 in the Triangle show. Peter was popular in his ’53 class but also with ’52 and ’54. He had roommates in all three classes.

After graduation, Peter attended Harvard Business School, earning his M.B.A. He started as a consultant but soon moved to lead the Chicago Urban Fund, which invested in minority-owned businesses. Peter was community-minded, so this was a natural business development for him.

He then started The French Baker, a chain of restaurants, and in his later years moved to Virginia and served as chairman of the United Financial Banking Companies. He also organized a tutoring program for kids that he operated to the end.

Peter’s funeral service was well attended by classmates. We extend our sympathies to his wife, Anne; his children, Charlotte and George; and his sister, Debby, and her husband, Ned Jannotta ’53.