William Peter Schmelter
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Published in March 2025
William Peter Schmelter, known to all as Peter, passed away peacefully on the morning of March 22, 2025, at the age of 65, after a courageous battle with a long illness. He was surrounded by his devoted wife and children in his final moments.
Born on March 26, 1959, Peter grew up in West Hartford, CT. Though he should have been a Yankees fan like his father and brother, he proudly embraced his role as the family rebel by becoming a devoted Red Sox fan. He attended Hobart College, where he earned his bachelor’s degree and cherished his time in his fraternity and on the swim team. He formed lifelong friendships there and never lost touch, making time for annual boys’ weekends filled with laughter and camaraderie.
Peter’s professional career spanned several roles before he joined McData in 2003, which later became part of Brocade and then Broadcom. He remained with the company for 21 years until his retirement, earning the respect of colleagues for his strong work ethic, sharp wit, and signature sarcasm. He particularly enjoyed his time on the Broadcom IBM team, forging close friendships with his team and many IB Mers and collecting a treasure trove of entertaining stories from conferences and business trips.
While Peter took pride in his work, his true passions were his family, sports, and time with friends. As die-hard Boston sports fan, he was especially devoted to the Red Sox and Celtics and enjoyed going to games with his family. His love for those teams was only surpassed by his joy in watching his son play sports and attending his daughter’s performances. Whether cheering from the sidelines or from home, he was their most loyal supporter.
Peter also found immense happiness on the golf course, where he shared countless rounds and laughs with friends. His warmth, humor, and storytelling made him a beloved companion, and his presence will be deeply missed by all who knew him. His legacy of love, friendship, and devotion to Boston sports will live on in the hearts of those who were lucky enough to have known him.
Peter was predeceased by his parents, Raymond and Marian Jensen Schmelter, and his older brother, Dean Schmelter. He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 27 years, Kelly, and their two children, Keith and Emmy, who were the center of his world. His deep love and dedication to his family were evident in everything he did. A celebration of Peter’s life will be held at a future date, and loved ones will be notified when details are finalized.
If you are interested in donating in Peter’s honor, please consider making a donation to:
Compassionate Care ALS (CCALS)
PO Box 1052, W. Falmouth, MA 02574
CCALS.org