Peter Clements Romig was born to Ray and Wanda Romig on August 28, 1949, the middle of three brothers (Jim and Russell). Peter grew up in Brownwood, attending South Elementary as a child and graduating from Brownwood High School in 1967. He died fighting a second bout of meningitis in Yakima, Washington, on October 31, 2022 (already All Saints Day in Texas).

Peter was a dreamer and an optimist. His elementary school pictures show such a sweet, hopeful expression. A very young Peter planned to use his Cub Scout skills to turn the firewood pile into a bookcase. His sweet spirit continued all his life, earning him the nickname of Petey, by which most people knew him.

Peter was the rock of his family. He married Evelyn Matthews on June 24, 1972, in Bryan, Texas in a joyous wedding still talked about by old-timers. They moved to Brownwood in 1978 and began the happiest portion of his life—raising his children and grandchildren. He was a true family man, sharing his love of cooking, gardening, and watching old movies with his children. He was dedicated to his parents as well.

Peter was a teacher. After working for his family business for many years, Peter decided that he should return to teaching school, his original career plan. He spent his whole teaching career with Brownwood ISD, most of it at the high school he attended where he had enjoyed being head cheerleader. Hundreds of lives have been made better in Peter’s classroom where he taught practical life economics plus the more important lessons of ethics and kindness. He also used his summers off to keep being an educator. Peter thought travel was important and educational and took his family to historical landmarks and America’s national parks.

Peter was a Brownwood man. He loved his community and wanted to contribute what he could to the citizens of Brownwood. Peter was Santa Claus for the Jaycee Christmas parade. In 1989, he served as chairman of the Arts Festival. He loved his work at The Good Samaritan Ministries and the Brownwood Education Foundation. In his later years, he would amuse the kids by telling them who used to live in every house in town. He poured his energy and enthusiasm into his hometown all his life.

Peter was a Christian. He served his church faithfully for a lifetime—cooking for the church and helping organize his Sunday School class events—all the humble, quiet things that knit a congregation together. Behind his pose as a cheapskate and conservative spender, there resided a generous soul who gave and never took credit: help to a former student with moving expenses, a car to a struggling young family, a check to help pay for a funeral—the list was endless. He lived his life as a devoted local United Methodist, living out John Wesley’s advice: “Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can.”

Peter loved his simple daily routine of tea on the back porch, planning and tending his garden, and pushing the grandchildren on the swing. And laughing, always laughing with friends and family. Peter was funny and had a sense of humor that kept those around him entertained. His wit allowed him to know and see the beauty of everyday things.

While his poor, battered body is at rest now, his soul not only exists with Christ, but with every single part of the wonderful home he made on Fourth Street. Peter is survived by his wife Evelyn; children Nancy, Robert, and Elizabeth (Liz); daughter in-law Elizabeth; son in-law Greg Hatlestad; grandchildren Liam, James, Alice, and Vivian; brother Russell; and a host of beloved cousins, friends, and “family of the heart.”

Visitation will be on Friday, November 11, 2022 from 5:30-7:30 at Heartland Funeral Home. After a private internment, a memorial service will take place at 2:00 on Saturday, November 12, 2022 at First Methodist Church Brownwood.

Memorials:

Good Samaritan Ministries—www.goodsambwd.org 305 Clark St, Brownwood TX 76801

Brownwood Education Foundation—www.supportbisd.com 2707 Southside, Brownwood TX 76801

Brownwood Area Community Garden—www.brownwoodgarden.com PO Box 1062
Brownwood TX  76804-1062

Condolences, memories, and tributes can be offered to the Romig family at heartlandfuneralhome.net.