John Petersen

John W. Petersen, 80, of Palatine, Inverness and Deer Park, IL, passed away peacefully on December 20, 2022. He was born to Wesley and Evelyn (Schaefer) Petersen on November 6, 1942.

John grew up in the Austin neighborhood in Chicago. He spent hours at the Austin YMCA where he learned to swim, later becoming a competitive backstroker at Austin High School. In high school he developed an early interest in architecture, earning awards from the Ford Industrial Arts Awards each year. Architecture led him to the University of Illinois, where he completed undergraduate and graduate studies in urban land economics and real estate. He also earned his MBA from the University of Chicago. At Illinois, John joined the Alpha Tau Omega (ATO) fraternity where he met treasured and lifelong friends Robert Phipps and Robert Bachman. John had a distinguished career in commercial real estate development, primarily focused on regional shopping centers; he spent several years working at Draper & Kramer, General Growth Properties and Klaff Realty, LP, among others.

John was a devoted husband and the proudest father and grandfather. Some of his happiest times were at his cottage in Crystal, Michigan, hunting for deals at garage sales and resale shops, landscaping and creating enjoyable outside spaces and hosting his friends and family in Inverness with his wife Lynda. His greatest legacy is his family, who will remember his support and guidance, strong work ethic and determination, steadfast love and devotion, sense of humor, and his great enjoyment of hot sauce, wine and single malt scotch, which he often shared with the “Odd Couples” group.

John is survived by his loving wife of 21 years, Lynda Yost; his children, Kimberly (Brian Kristofic) Petersen, Brian (Julie Dugdale) Petersen, and Andrew (Ankica) Petersen; his  wonderful grandchildren Kenny and Anna Kristofic, Finn and Dash Petersen and Nada and Zora Petersen; his first wife and mother of his children Jain Petersen; his sister Sue (Hank) Lange; and his nieces Kristin, Karen and Kathie and their families. John had a terrific, full life and wanted all relatives and great friends to lift a glass or three for him. A Celebration of Life for John will be held at a later date.