Peter Kaufman

Peter Kaufman, age 65, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. He was born on March 29,1960, in Seoul, South Korea. Peter is missed by his spouse and partner of 29 years, Jan Viney, along with siblings, Varani Jill Kaufman, Mark (Corby Campbell) Kaufman, and Tanya Kaufman Magee; brothers-in-law, Mick (Rhonda) Viney, Randy (Debbie) Viney; sister-in-law, Cindy Viney; step-siblings, Rob (Gerianne Holzman) Zimmerman, Steve (Sharon Shavitt) Zimmerman, and Jim Zimmerman; very special aunt, Monique Kaufman; and many nieces and nephews. Peter also leaves behind his best buddies, Ollie (cat) and Harper (dog). He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Martha Kaufman; stepfather, Howard Zimmerman, uncle, Curtis Kaufman and brothers-in-law, Ron Viney and Scott Canon.

Peter and his family lived in South Korea, Nepal, Vietnam, Maryland, and Thailand, before moving to Wisconsin when he was a 12-year-old.  He graduated from Madison West High School in 1977 and went on to UW-Madison earning a Computer Science degree. After graduation, he started working at UW-Madison in the university’s technology operations department (at that time called MACC and currently known as DoIT) excelling in many areas. His final career focus was on computer security and intrusion protection. After spending his entire career at UW-Madison, he retired in July 2017.

Building connections with others was very important to Peter. He enjoyed hosting gatherings with family and friends. When Jan & Peter built their home a few years ago, Peter designed an office space with many windows to bring in lots of light, and to let him wave at every neighbor who walked by.  

Peter gave freely of his time, talents, and resources. Organizations he volunteered for include Wisconsin Council for the Blind, Wisconsin Democrats, Porchlight, and the cat ringworm treatment program at Dane County Humane Society. During the height of the COVID pandemic, he developed and led the program that delivered food from the food pantry in Verona to individuals’ homes. 

Peter’s interests were many and varied. Peter enjoyed running and was proud of his twice completing the Syttende Mai run, a 20-mile race from Madison to Stoughton. Peter also loved music and played guitar, drums, and piano. He had the amazing ability to learn music by listening and then repeating the chords on his guitar. Even though Peter was an introvert, he had a secret dream of playing in a band. While that never came to fruition, Jan was happy to be his ‘audience of one’ when he played his guitar.

Peter supported Jan’s love of travel and together they explored many places throughout the US and Europe. Jan’s siblings often joined them on these adventures.

Peter had many hobbies including building bird houses, transcribing braille, metal detecting, photography, cooking new recipes, and brewing beer. He loved problem-solving and always enjoyed the challenge of fixing something that was broken – especially when everyone else had given up on repairing it.

Peter’s meditation practice was very important in his desire to understand life’s purpose. His voice, questions, curiosity, good-heartedness, and all-around decency benefited all who knew him. He believed that all living things were important. He lived this value in his actions from gently capturing a bug and taking it outside to feeding many, many birds at his home. Crows and Peter had a special relationship and every morning they would call to him wanting to be fed.

We are planning a Celebration of Peter’s Life on April 22, 2026 (Earth Day) in Madison, Wisconsin. It is a fitting time of year as he loved nature and natural sunlight. His spirit lives on in all who knew him. His influence will live forever.

If people want to honor Peter they can do so by being kind to people and animals, helping a stranger, lending a hand to someone in need, and doing all the other things Peter did so freely and with no expectation of anything in return.

If people are inclined, they can also make a gift to one of these organizations listed below. I know he would want it said that there is NO requirement or expectation to do this.

Wisconsin Council of the Blind (Peter was a very active volunteer and supporter)                 
https://wcblind.org/donate/

Madison Cat Project (Peter was a lover of all animals and had a particular fondness for cats)     
 https://www.madisoncatproject.org/donate

“There are some who bring a light so great to the world that even after they have gone, the light remains.” – Unknown Author

Peter, the final chapter of our story hasn’t been written yet; you will be a voice in my heart forever. I love you. – Jan

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

Legacy Center

6728 Mader Drive

608-274-1000