Peter Mark Anderson

Peter Mark Anderson lived a life defined by steadiness, kindness, and quiet strength. A devoted husband and father, a loyal friend, and one of the most respected executives of his generation in the global music industry, Pete was known not for self-promotion, but for integrity, intelligence, and an unwavering moral compass. He passed away on Thursday, December 11, 2025, in St. Davids, Pennsylvania.

Born in Muskegon, Michigan, Pete moved with his family to Chicago at age seven, where the roots of his lifelong warmth and Midwestern sensibility took hold. Those early years shaped the man so many would later rely on grounded, thoughtful, and deeply human in all that he did.

After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History from Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota, Pete began what would become a remarkable, decades-long career in the recorded music industry. He started at CBS Records (now Sony Music Entertainment) in Terre Haute, Indiana, where he quickly distinguished himself as a singles specialist with a rare ability to understand both market data and people. His rise through senior leadership roles, including at CBS Records in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, Atlanta and Los Angeles—was marked by trust, consistency, and relationships built on respect. He was an early advocate for data-driven strategy and for advancing women into leadership roles—long before such efforts were commonplace.

At Epic Records, where he served as Senior Vice President of Sales, Pete helped guide the commercial success of some of the most iconic artists in music history, including Michael Jackson, Céline Dion, Sade, and Ozzy Osbourne. In 1993, he joined Atlantic Records as Senior Vice President of Sales, playing a pivotal role during a transformative era in the industry and contributing to the success of artists such as Hootie & the Blowfish, Missy Elliott, Matchbox Twenty, Collective Soul, Brandy, and Bush.

In 1994, Pete married the love of his life, Melissa Greene. Their partnership rooted in respect, devotion, and shared values was the foundation of everything that followed. In 2001, Pete joined Melissa at Collectible Records/Gotham Distribution as Executive Vice President, where he became known as an honest broker, a trusted partner.

Yet for all his professional accomplishments, Pete’s greatest pride was always his family—children, dogs, and all. He was a deeply present father to Grayson, Brandtson, and Kennedy: a listener first, a teacher always, and a constant source of unconditional love. His home was a place of humor, safety, encouragement, and grace.

He was also rarely without a dog at his side or treats in his pockets. This earned him the affectionate nickname “The Treat Master General,” a title he wore proudly.

Pete was preceded in death by his parents, Gordon and Ethel Anderson, and his sister-in-law Kathy Anderson.

He is survived by his beloved wife Melissa Greene Anderson; his children Kennedy, Grayson (fiancé Megan Eschenbacher), and Brandtson (partner Lyndsey Kerr); his siblings Joanne Pearson (husband John), Gordon Anderson Jr., JoNancy Warren (husband Jim), and Cynthia Frazier; his parents-in-law Jerry and Nina Greene; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and cherished dogs.

In tribute to their father, Pete and Melissa’s children shared: “Our father lived a life of love, determination, belief, and honor. As his children, we were able to see him for who he truly was—the most caring and empathetic teacher to everyone around him. He was a father not only to his own children, but to anyone who needed him, whether for a few seconds or for decades, always providing a safe environment and unconditional love to all who were blessed to be around him. As a husband, he always put our mother before himself. He taught by example and showed us what it truly means to be a devoted partner, husband, and leader of a household. He shared his interests, hobbies, and strong work ethic with the world, and we are all better because of him. He lives on through us—Grayson, Brandt, and Kennedy.”

Pete leaves behind a legacy measured not only by the careers he shaped or the trust he earned, but by the lives he uplifted, the love he gave freely, and the example he set every day. He will be deeply missed and gratefully remembered.