Peter Deforrest Winthrop

Peter DeForrest Winthrop, 57, entered into his eternal home on June 23, 2022.

Peter was brilliant. He was a voracious reader and had an insatiable desire to learn, especially about anthropology, history, and languages. He skipped several grades as a young student, and was admitted to the University of Chicago after his sophomore year of high school. There he earned his degree in Politics, Economics, Rhetoric and Law. He went on to complete his J.D. at Northwestern University. He spoke several languages, including Greek, Hebrew, and Kyrgyz.

Peter was raised in the Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition, but had a passion for the study of Judaism and Jewish people. He was baptized at the Moody Church in Chicago in 1991, declared his love for Jesus Christ, and shared his faith with others.

Peter worked as a lawyer, serving people with immigration matters. He was the first and only lawyer to win a political asylum case from Palestine and Israel, and often advised other nations in immigration and asylum cases. The later part of his career he served as “the cabbie lawyer,” assisting thousands of drivers in the City of Chicago.

In June of 2018, Peter suffered a massive stroke while at the courthouse. His life forever altered, Peter was determined to regain as much of his life as he possibly could. He returned to practicing law, pursued learning, and built friendships with many new people.

He was a gracious and faithful husband to Laura Broekstra Winthrop for nearly 20 years, and a loving and proud father to Holland Reade Winthrop. He cherished his dogs, Snoopy and Bear.

Peter is preceded in death by his adoring father, George Peppas. He is survived by his wife, Laura Broekstra Winthrop, daughter Holland Reade Winthrop, mother Helen Peppas, aunt Daisy Agres, nephews Paul and Jimmy (Melissa) Peterson, sister Carol Peterson, brother Greg Peppas, and the Broekstra family.

Visitation Tuesday, June 28, 2022 from 3-8 PM. Funeral Service Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at 10:00 AM at Colonial Chapel, 15525 S. 73rd Ave. (155th/Wheeler Dr. & Harlem) Orland Park, IL. Interment Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Frankfort, IL.

Below is a photo tribute celebrating Peter's life.



In lieu of flowers, memorials to Orland Park Christian Reformed Church, 7500 Sycamore Dr., Orland Park, IL 60462 are appreciated.

Express your thoughts and condolences at colonialchapel.com 708-532-5400