Peter Meisel 75 of Pinehurst N.C. and formerly of Keystone died Oct. 5. After a short but severe fight with cancer at Moore Regional Hospital, Peter fell asleep peacefully surrounded by his beloved wife, Michaela, close friends, and his dog Toby.

Born in Berlin, Germany, on June 22, 1935 to the late Will Meisel and Elisa Illiard, Peter worked successfully in the music industry as publisher and producer on two continents, Europe and the United States. Together with his brother Thomas, he led the Berlin-based music publisher Meisel Musikverlage since 1960. In 1964 the Meisel brothers founded the first German independent label Hansa and in 1985, the Hansa label was sold to Bertelsmann Music Group. In the early 1980s, he established residency in Colorado, making the Keystone Ranch Golf Course his second home. In Colorado Peter was always on the ski slopes in the winter and golfing in the summer.

In 1984 having sold his publishing shares to his brother, Meisel bought into the fast-food chain Wendy’s, but later returned to the music business in Berlin after German reunification in 1990. He discoverd the a capella group Die Prinzen, and the singer Lou Bega, who had a worldwide hit with “Mamo No. 5.”

“Peter Meisel was a pioneer and pillar of the German and international music history. He was my mentor and my friend. He will remain irreplaceable.” said George Glueck, founder of George Glueck publishing in Berlin.

Peter joined the Pinehurst Community in 2001 where he has enjoyed his life to the fullest. Peter is survived by his wife of nine years, Michaela: and his brother,Thomas Meisel, of Berlin; and would be remembered for his tenderness and great love for nature. A Life Well-Lived Celebration will be held on Saturday at 2 p.m., at Peter’s former home in Keystone. The house is located at 2494 Keystone Ranch Road with ‘Piasecki’ on the front sign. If necessary, please contact Barbara Mertus Munyon mertusb@peakpeak.com for driving directons.

Memorial donations may be made to the Summit County Animal Shelter (970) 668-3230 http://www.co.summit.co.us and look on the right hand side for the shelter’s web site. Peter’s best loved “Colorado Dog Chloe” was adopted from this facility.