Peter John Raich

Peter John Raich, age 60, of Olympia Fields, Illinois passed into eternal life on May 15, 2020. Peter was born on April 28, 1960 in Chicago, Illinois. He married Leslie Gehring on November 25, 1984. Peter and Leslie welcomed their twins Jennifer and Kaitlyn on December 19, 1991. As a family, they shared a great love of music. He sang in and directed the church choir and taught himself to play the guitar. He supported Leslie, Jennifer, and Kaitlyn in their musical endeavors. Peter studied photography, worked as a union carpenter, and then as an administrator for the New Apostolic Church of North America. He was a lifelong member of the New Apostolic Church and served as a minister in the church for many years until he retired due to illness. Peter suffered from Multiple Sclerosis. Due to his advancing disease, he spent the last 7 years of his life living in a nursing home. Peter enjoyed the arts. He loved to listen to Jimi Hendrix, the Doors, and Janis Joplin. He wrote poetry, including his most well-known “Lovely Sunny Days”. He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to laugh. He enjoyed creatively retelling children’s stories to his children, nieces, and nephews. Peter is survived by his wife of 35 years, Leslie (nee Gehring) and his twins, Jennifer and Kaitlyn. Peter was the cherished son of L. Wiera Raich (and the late John F.), and son-in-law of Walter and Carol Gehring. He was the oldest of eight children: fond brother of Susan Raich (Charlotte Shepherd), Carolyn (Helmut) Kalweit, Janet Graf, Anne Raich, Timothy (Tami) Raich, Becky (James) Perthel, and Matthew (Katharine) Raich. Brother-in-law of Suzanne (the late Peter) Kalweit, and Kathy Dyer (Rob Hebda). Dear uncle of Reggie Shepherd; Elizabeth (Matthias) Koberstein; Nicholas (Andrea) Kalweit; Paul (Elizabeth) Kalweit; Andrew Kalweit; Anna & Jonathan Graf; Ruby & John Raich; Jonathan, Hannah, Daniel, & Joseph Perthel; Sofia Raich; Scott (Kristen) Culbertson; Tom (Niccole) Culbertson; Greg Culbertson; Jodi (Ryan) Felt; Katharine (John) Hermann; James (Kimberly) Kalweit; and the late Wilhelm Kalweit (Darcie Anderson). Great uncle to Samuel & Alina Koberstein; Ellie & Claire Kalweit; Lucas Kalweit; Christian & Oliver Culbertson; Bryan & Emily Culbertson; Max & Penelope Hermann; Jonathon & Michelle Kalweit; and Anthony Gonzalez, Payton & Brooke-Lynne Kalweit. Peter will be missed and fondly remembered by countless other family members and friends. Peter died following a short hospitalization due to Covid-19. The family would like to thank the kind staff at the Generations at Applewood and Franciscan Health Olympia Fields St. James Hospital for their compassionate care. The family would also like to thank everyone for their many prayers and support over the years and during Peter’s hospitalization. A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to the family can be made. Arrangements entrusted to Chicagoland Cremation Options of Schiller Park, Illinois.