Ralph "Skip" Peterson

Ralph "Skip" Peterson, age 83, passed away August 30, 2022, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born on January 25, 1939, to Ralph and Margaret (Rogers) Peterson, Skip graduated from East High School in 1957. Little did Skip know as an 11-year-old lad sweeping floors of his father’s auto parts store that it would lead to his career. He later came to own and operate his father’s business, H&R Auto Parts on Park Street in Madison. Later he expanded his business with Lodi Auto Parts and Bell Distributing Company in Spring Green. Skip loved sports. As a bowling enthusiast, Skip sometimes bowled 7 nights a week in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, and built quite a name for himself amongst the Madison area bowling community. Football season was a special time of year for Skip. An avid Badger and Packer Fan he made sure to text Badger and Packer game times & channels to his daughter, Cheri. After Football season, Badger Basketball would start - another favorite sport of Skip's, and Donna, too. Sundays were spend watching golf (Donna even started to enjoy golf!!). Skip’s dream of owning a Northwoods lakefront cabin came true in 1976 when he purchased a shell of a cabin on East Horsehead Lake. The cabin was certainly his happy place! He loved musky fishing, grilling on charcoal - never a one for a gas grill - and enjoyed entertaining friends & family up north. Not known to turn down a card game, Skip was a master of euchre, cribbage, poker, and any other kind of cards; playing like a shark! Skip and Donna spent winters in Yuma, AZ, and the other seasons they were up north at the cabin or their condo in Madison. Skip is survived by his wife of 35 years, Donna (Bailey) Peterson; Daughter, Cheri (Dan) Ripp; Stepsons, Bob (Julie) Wall, Steve (Marge) Wall; Grandchildren, Jennifer Belz and Ryan (Brittany Norton) Belz; Step-grandchildren, Liz (Tom) Baehnk, Katie (Don) Busalacchi, Justin (Carmen) Wall, and Chase Wall; 4 great-grandchildren; a sister, Claudette Schmutzer; and nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Mike Peterson; stepson, David Wall; step-grandson, Jeremy Wall; and brother-in-law Robert Schumtzer. A Celebration of Skip's life will be taking place on September 21, 2022, from 4 PM to 7 PM at the VFW Day Post 7591, 301 Cottage Grove Road, Madison WI 53716. Skip's family wishes to thank the staff from Agrace Hospice Care for the wonderful care and support they provided to Skip and his family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Agrace Hospice Care at www.agrace.org and select "Make a Donation" or by mail to Agrace Hospice Care, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711. Dad was a quiet man, not much for words, although you always knew he had your back. Love and miss you, Pops!