Dr. Ralph E. Peters, physician

Peters

Dr. Ralph Edward Peters, 84, a Cheektowaga physician for 42 years, died Monday, March 26, 2007, in his Williamsville home.

Born in Buffalo, he was a 1940 graduate of St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute and earned a bachelor's degree from Canisius College in 1944. After two years in the Navy, he attended Georgetown University Medical School, receiving his degree in 1950.

Dr. Peters served his internship at Sisters Hospital and his residency in internal medicine and cardiology fellowship at the former E.J. Meyer Memorial Hospital. He was a founding staff physician at St. Joseph Hospital in Cheektowaga and an attending physician at Sisters Hospital.

Dr. Peters maintained offices at various locations in the Harlem Road-Wehrle Drive area of Cheektowaga and was joined in his practice by his daughter Nancy in 1985. He retired in 1996.

For several years, he was a member of the Singing Doctors, a group of doctors at Sisters Hospital, that performed in nursing homes and at special occasions.

For about 20 years, Dr. Peters raised quarter horses at his home. One of his mares won a state championship in halter.

Dr. Peters enjoyed gardening and maintaining an apple orchard. He also enjoyed a 75-acre country retreat in Cattaraugus County, as well as hunting, fishing, and camping.

He was a parishioner at SS. Peter & Paul Church for more than 50 years.

Dr. Peters is survived by his wife of 54 years, the former Josephine LoGrasso; two sons, Ralph E. Jr. and John P.; and three daughters, Barbara Ritchie, Mary Hogle, and Dr. Nancy.

Services were held Friday, March 30 in Dietrich Funeral Home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in SS. Peter & Paul Church.