Peter B. “Pete” MacFadden, of Haslett, Mich., formerly of Allegheny County, passed away unexpectedly in December 2020.

Pete was born Feb. 21, 1953, in Ames, Iowa, and as a child, moved with his family to West Virginia and later to Western Pennsylvania. While in West Virginia, he was confirmed in the Episcopal church, and throughout his childhood and adolescence, learned strong Christian principles, which guided him in life.

He attended Richland Senior High School in Gibsonia, but opted for a GED instead of graduating, and later attended Allegheny County Community College, where he played club football and earned an associate degree in speech and communication. He went on to The University of Pittsburgh, and earned both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in communication there as well.

During his undergraduate years, he worked as a bricklayers assistant, and was proud of the skills in masonry that he learned during that time. He also worked as a paralegal for several years, and then continued his education and earned a doctorate in rhetoric at The University of Indiana, and eventually moved to Michigan to be close to family.

Excellence in teaching was one of the central passions in Pete’s life, and he taught college-level courses in six states, most recently at Lansing Community College in Michigan. He enjoyed motivating his students, and was genuinely delighted when they succeeded. Pete also formed positive, affectionate and enduring relationships with all of his nieces and nephews, who will all miss him greatly, and he found some of his greatest joys in these positive relationships.

Pete had an energetic personality, a keen intellect, a courtly manner, a caring heart and a marvelous sense of humor. His passing leaves a great empty space in each of our lives, that nothing else can ever completely fill.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Marion (Dolly) MacFadden; and his father and stepmother, Donald and Virginia (Ginny) MacFadden of Vancouver, Wash.

He is survived by his uncles, Jack (Lisa) Holcomb and Gordon (Bonnie) Holcomb; his brother, Tom MacFadden of Slippery Rock; his sister, Sue MacFadden and his brother-in-law, Jack Rotman; his sister, Joanne MacFadden; his nieces, Holly Rotman of New Mexico, and Mika (Ben) Wooden; his nephews, Jacob Meier and Joey Meier; several stepsiblings; and numerous cousins.

MACFADDEN — A private funeral service for Peter B. “Pete” MacFadden, who died in December 2020, was held for family members and was arranged by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, Lansing, Mich.

The family also plans to arrange a memorial service to be held in the summer or fall.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to a scholarship fund in Pete’s name, which will be set up at Lansing Community College.