Gurnee barber remembered for care, advice

To his customers, Ralph "Pete" Peterson wasn't just a barber -- he was a friend and confidant.

"He would always say he saw his customers at the most important times in their lives: before weddings; around the holidays; before they were going on big trips or vacations; before funerals," recalled one of his daughters, Stacey Vazquez. "He could keep up with the big events of their lives."

Peterson, a Gurnee resident who cut hair for more than 40 years, died Monday of pancreatic cancer. He was 66.

Peterson spent the bulk of his hair-cutting career at his own salon, Shear Kut in Waukegan. He ran the business until December 2006, selling it shortly after he was diagnosed with cancer, Vazquez said.

Peterson was born in Waukegan and lived there much of his life. He was a 1959 graduate of Waukegan Township High School and attended Northern Illinois University, where he studied art.

He started cutting hair after leaving school to make money, Vazquez said. His first job was at the now-closed Jeff's Barber Shop in Waukegan.

"He kind of fell into it," Vazquez said.

Peterson loved talking with his customers and was known to be a good listener. They'd talk about each others' lives, and Peterson would help them with problems.

"He gave advice a lot," Vazquez said. "I feel like he influenced a lot of people."

He helped his kids with difficult decisions, too.

"He had a good sense of right and wrong," Vazquez said. "He never steered us wrong. Never."

Peterson also served as a flight crew member in the Naval Air Reserve Force, said his wife, Elizabeth. His military service took him to Spain, Japan, Hawaii and other long-distance locales.

Peterson had other interests aside from cutting hair. He played racquetball and golf and enjoyed bike riding.

In addition to his wife and daughter, Peterson's survivors include: another daughter, Shelley, of Lindenhurst; a son, Ryan, of Clarendon Hills; five grandchildren; a sister; and a half-brother.

A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Emmanuel Church, 2003 N. Dilleys Road, Gurnee.

Instead of flowers, donations can be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 2141 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 7000, El Segundo, Calif., 90245.