- Date Of Birth: April 15, 1952
- Date Of Death: November 23, 2021
- State: Michigan
Henry “Peter” Wiegand, 69, of Richland, MI died peacefully after a long struggle with cancer, in his home on November 23, 2021.
Peter was born on April 15, 1952 in Port Huron, MI to John Wiegand and Wanda Hoig. He was the fifth of twelve children. Peter graduated in 1971 from Port Huron Catholic High School. He went on to achieve two associate degrees from Kalamazoo Valley Community College, but most people will remember Peter for the entrepreneur that he was.
Peter moved to Kalamazoo in 1978. During his time in Kalamazoo, he started two new businesses, his first was as a sandwich maker, and his second was as a builder and designer – using some of the skills he learned in his youth from his father and brothers. He was the creator and owner of Southwest Builders, a company responsible for a number of renovations in downtown Kalamazoo including: the Style Shop, The Arcadia, The Olde Penninsula Brew Pub, Cafe Casa and The Golden Needle. In an article published in the Kalamazoo Gazette on June 21, 1998, Peter said, “As we work in these buildings on a daily basis, we feel the past. We can hear the workers of 100 or 150 years ago, laying their brick, building their walls, plastering, painting”. In addition to downtown renovations, Peter’s company also designed and built new homes and did home renovations. Peter loved his work. He was an artist at heart and that, along with his sense of community, drove his ambition.
Peter was a passionate person in all aspects of life. When he was not working, one of his greatest passions was golf-he played it, watched it and talked about it to whomever would listen, including many of his recent doctors. Peter also loved to dance, and one only needed to see him dancing to want to dance too. He lit up every room he entered with his infectious and joyful spirit.
Peter married his high school sweetheart, Carol Andreae in 1973, and together they had a beautiful son, Andre Niven Wiegand.
Peter met Margaret McGlinchey at the Olive Tree restaurant in 1988, and they were married on July 6, 1991. They raised two incredible children, Molly Rose Wiegand and Brian Henry Wiegand. When Peter was not talking about golf, he was talking about one of his children, or beloved grandchildren.
If you were loved by Peter, you were truly a fortunate one. He gave his heart, trust and love, completely. His generosity had no bounds. One way that Peter demonstrated his love to friends and family was to feed them. He was well known for his fantastic breakfasts, and amazing holiday turkeys. Peter made the world a better place in countless ways.
Peter is survived by his wife, Margaret, his children, Andre (Joy) Wiegand, Molly Wiegand, and Brian Wiegand, and his 3 grandchildren, Lance, Austin, and Ruby, his siblings John (Kathy) Wiegand, Dave (Barb) Wiegand, Dan (Anne) Wiegand, Tim (Susan) Wiegand, Mike (Lynn) Wiegand, Robert (Melanie) Wiegand, Kathy (Alton) Rogers, Thomas Wiegand, Dave Moon, and Kris Wiegand, his nieces and nephews, and all of his McGlinchey in-laws.
Peter was preceded in death by his parents, John and Wanda Wiegand, and his sisters, Wendy Wiegand, Diane Wiegand, and Nancy Moon.
His family would like to thank Hospice and the many friends and family who provided so much support and love in Peter’s final days.
