Albert Pero Obituary

Pero, Albert "Pete" Was born December 14, 1935, in St. Louis, Missouri. He was the oldest of three children born to Albert and Archie Mae Pero. Pete attended Vashon High School in St. Louis, received his B.A. from St. Paul's College, Concordia, MO. and his Bachelors of Theology degree from Concordia Seminary, Springfield, IL. He was ordained in 1962 and ministered at congregations in Chicago, IL and Detroit, MI, later becoming a missionary at Chicago's Robert Taylor Homes. He went on to receive his M.A. from the University of Detroit and his Ph.D. was awarded to him by the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago on behalf of Concordia Lutheran Seminary in St. Louis. He did post-doctoral studies at the University of Chicago and University of Zimbabwe. As a Professor of Systematic Theology, he began his teaching ministry at the seminary in the fall of 1975. The first African-American Lutheran to receive an earned Ph.D. in Systematic Theology, he had been a Pastor, Civil Rights Leader, and organizer, whose work helped to bring about the establishment of the Conference of International Black Lutherans. His passion was to theologically explore the role of the teaching theologian, to engage in deep ecumenical partnership, and study the theology of the black experience. Pete died peacefully at Mount Sinai Hospital on Wednesday, November 18 at 5:45 p.m. He is at rest from his labors and leaves to cherish his memory his wife Cheryl; his children, Rhonda Lewis, Kim Moore (Thomas), Robin Price (Paul) and Clark Pero (Ann); brother, Leonard Pero (Paula); sister, Toni Pero Clark; nine grandchildren, Nicole, Manus, Kahlia, Michael, Karly, Marina, Kylie, Clark, Jr. and Brittany; 12 great-grandchildren; several nephews, nieces, cousins and many, many friends. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Albert "Pete" Pero Multicultural Center by visiting www.lstc.edu/alumni-friends/giving/ways.php. Visitation is Monday, November 23 from 12:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Cage Memorial Chapel, 7651 S. Jeffery Blvd., Chicago, IL. Funeral Services are Tuesday, November 24 at 12:00 p.m., Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC), 1100 E. 55th St., Chicago. Interment Oak Wood Cemetery, Chicago.