Peter Kenneth Ewald Jr.

Peter Kenneth Ewald, Jr., was the older son of Peter Kenneth and Mary Carolyn (Madden) Ewald. Born in New York City on July 17, 1952, the family moved to Mount Kisco, NY, where Pete attended Sts. John & Mary grammar school. He was active in the Boy Scouts and enjoyed the camping and merit badge challenges. He spent part of every summer at Scout camp in the Adirondack Mountains of New York either as a camper or a leader, and ultimately became an Eagle Scout.

The family then moved to Long Island, NY where he attended Chaminade High School, excelled academically and played basketball. Pete graduated from Fordham University in 1974, Magna Cum Laude in Economics, having rowed varsity crew for four years and been invited to apply for a Rhodes Scholarship. Also at Fordham, Pete was involved with a Boy Scout Troop established for young men with disabilities. It was there that he met lifelong friend Fred Zuckerman. In addition to the usual Scouting activities, since Fordham and the troop were in the Bronx, he loved to take the troop to NY Yankees baseball games. Pete then enlisted in the United States Coast Guard and became acquainted with Don and Ed Pearce of whom he served as confirmation sponsor and over all “big brother.” After completing his service as a Coast Guard Reservist he tested a few different occupations. He combined his love of architecture with his analytical abilities and enjoyed a career as a commercial-industrial appraiser for the City of New York. In 1986, that love for commercial appraising landed him a job at the city of Detroit, including Wayne County, which he was dedicated to for over 27 years. Prior to his passing, he also worked as a property appraiser for the City of Dearborn.

Other passions that he favored were experiences meeting the needs of others. In college, he spent time volunteering with the Glenmary Missioners assisting the under-served in Appalachia. Peter was dedicated to missions here in the city of Detroit as well. Whether it was ministering to the homeless community at Cass Park Baptist Church in the Cass Corridor, (where he met his wife Doreatha), or teaching Sunday school at Hope Community Church, Peter dedicated his time and talent to serving Jesus Christ. He embodied God’s commandment to “love thy neighbor”. Peter visited and prayed for his neighbors and friends. He always had a greeting card or a kind word for people he encountered. In fact, he won his wife’s heart with a card and some cough medicine. Peter’s servant heart was felt and admired by those who knew him.

Peter was devoted to his faith and all of his family but particularly to his loving wife, Doreatha, son Christopher and daughter Marissa Carolyn. He is also survived by his dearest brother Robert (Christine), as well as a host of nieces and nephews.

Peter was called to rest on Thursday, November 4, 2021. He leaves all he touched to cherish his memory, remember his kindness and revere the ways he loved and cared for others.

“May we so live to enjoy that day when the Lord may say to us, “Well done thou good and faithful servant: thou has been faithful over a few thing, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” Matthew 25:21 (KJV)

A visitation for Peter will be held Friday, November 12, 2021 from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM at A. H. Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236, followed by a funeral service at 4:00 PM.