His childhood days were spent on a farm north of Salina. Upon graduation he served in the Army during World War II. After discharge he graduated from KWU and Wichita State, with a degree in accounting. He then opened his own accounting firm in Salina. While at KWU he met his dear wife, Theresa Jean Downey, with whom he had been married for 631/2 years.

“Pete” was a member of the Sunflower Lions Club where he served as club treasurer, second vice president, first vice president and president, as well as chairing various service projects. He coached YMCA, church and Salvation Army basketball and flag football, at the fourth grade to senior high levels for 13 years. He was also active in the Big Brother program. He continued his accounting practice for 25 years until he retired in 1980 and moved to Mitchell, S.D. “Pete” received the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award from the Lions Clubs International Foundation, in 1993. “Pete” received the award through the Mitchell, S.D. Lions Club. The Melvin Jones Fellowship is the highest honor conferred by the foundation for dedicated humanitarian services and commitment to the ideals of Lionism. “Pete” also received the Lion of the Year Award earlier. While in the Mitchell area he served as treasurer, second vice president, first vice president, president, zone chairman, cabinet treasurer for the district governor and chair of various service projects.

His other volunteer work, while in the Mitchell area, consisted of coaching the YMCA and flag football at the fourth- and fifth-grade levels, plus the YMCA Women’s League which won the league championship for 1990. “Pete” moved to Sioux Falls, S.D. in 1993 and transferred to the Sioux Falls Lions Club, where he worked with the Lions Sight and Service Foundation and served as the “Pancake Feed” treasurer for a number of years.

He returned to Salina in 2007. He was baptized and was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church. Any extra time was spent gardening and watching sports on TV while enjoying his ice cream and sweet treats. Cookies arriving in the mail from Kathy, in South Dakota, were always welcomed. He is survived by his dear wife, Theresa Jean Downey Bross; daughter, Peggy Jean Sanneman, of Salina; and sister, Ruth Beichley, of Salina; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Friends may call from noon to 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 23, at Ryan Mortuary, where family will be present from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Salina, with burial at 2 p.m. in Glasco Cemetery, Glasco. Memorials are suggested to St. John’s Lutheran Church.