Peter David Armstrong

Peter David Armstrong, 19, of Oak Park, Illinois, died on November 12, 2025, in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

He was born on February 17, 2006, in Chicago, Illinois, the beloved son of Neal and Esther Armstrong and beloved sister of Rachel (“Sammy”). Peter grew up in Oak Park, Illinois, where he attended elementary and middle school at Grace Lutheran School in River Forest and attended high school at Oak Park and River Forest High School. After graduation Peter went on to attend Methodist University in Fayetteville, where he was enrolled in the PGA Golf Management Program.

Peter had a passion for all things sports and he was a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan. His love for sports began at a very young age on Oak Park’s soccer and baseball fields where he made many lifelong friendships. He was also passionate about participating in basketball, volleyball, cross-country and track at Grace Lutheran. But it wasn’t until the Covid pandemic that Peter discovered his ultimate sports passion, the game of golf. Peter was a quick study and turned his love of golf into a very successful high school career with the OPRF golf team during his junior and senior year. This led him to pursuing a career in golf at Methodist University’s golf management program. 

Peter’s most special memories were probably the ones made close to home, on the 800 block of Wesley in Oak Park. Block parties, summertime Friday night gatherings, Easter egg hunts, Nerf gun battles, and unspoken shenanigans with his sister and friends filled his years. He and his block buddies were often outside playing whiffle ball, shooting hoops, throwing the football, jumping on trampolines, or just chilling out on a front porch or in a backyard. These friendships started at birth and filled his life with so much joy.

Something perhaps less well known is that Peter inherited his father and grandfather’s affinity for collecting. As a young boy, Peter started collecting Star Wars and Marvel “figgers,” Mighty Beans, Pokemon cards, Bakugan, Sillybandz, and, of all things, jellybeans. Over the years he continued collecting mini statue souvenirs on family travels. He had an impressive rubber ducky collection, numerous decks of unique playing cards, hundreds of Funko POP figures, more golf hats than anyone could wear and what was shaping up to be an extensive collection of golf putters. His collections were more than objects to him – they were symbols of special places and cherished memories.

Peter had a strong faith in Christ and was active in his church community at Grace Lutheran Church. Peter served at church in various ways over the years and was always willing and happy to participate in service projects, especially making lunches for the unhoused, filling meal packs at Feed My Starving Children, caring for young children in the church nursery and participating in worship services on Youth Sundays. Peter was known by all who loved him to be empathetic, sensitive, fun-loving, intensely competitive, goofy, reserved, respectful, humble, and kind. 

He is survived by his parents, Neal and Esther (Schuette) Armstrong, sister Rachel (“Sammy”), his grandmother Sandra Schuette and grandfather Paul Armstrong, numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins, the family dog, Bruno, and his beloved corgi, Tobe. He was preceded in death by his grandmother Kay Armstrong and grandfather the Reverend Ronald Schuette. 

A memorial service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, 7300 Division Street, River Forest, Illinois, on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. There will be visitation with the family before the service beginning at 9:30 a.m. Peter’s remains will be interred privately in the Grace Lutheran Church Memorial Garden. 

In memory of Peter and because of his deep affection for his experience at Grace School, the family has established a scholarship fund in his name to support future Grace Lutheran School families. Those wishing to make a donation are asked to send a check payable to Grace Lutheran Church and School with “Peter D. Armstrong Scholarship Fund” in the memo line. Donations may also be made online at GraceRiverForest.org. Click on the Donate button, then choose Memorial Gift.