Stanley Peter David Peterson Obituary (1935 - 2011)

Stanley Peter David Peterson, beloved husband, father and grandfather and long time resident of Tucson, passed away on October 18, 2011 after a long battle with cancer. Born May 24th, 1935, Stan was the second of the four children born to Peter D. and Alma A. Peterson (Ohleen) of Lily, South Dakota. Growing up on the family farm, he lived up to his nickname of "Speedy" whether it was riding his bicycle, sledding, skiing, or driving his green Ford about the countryside. Valedictorian of his high school class, he received a scholarship to South Dakota State University where he earned a degree of BS in Mechanical Engineering in 1959. During his college years, his need for speed led him to join the Air National Guard where he trained as a jet fighter pilot. Home on leave from the Guard, he spotted his future wife, Norma (Tunheim), and tried to impress her with his flying skills. Though the people of her home town of Langford wondered who that crazy pilot was, she still married him on August 3, 1958, and remained his faithful wife for the last 53 years. While in flight training at Williams Air Force Base in Chandler, he fell in love with the desert and mountains of Arizona. So after graduation when a job offer from Hughes Aircraft presented itself, he returned to Arizona with his wife and new-born son. He worked as an engineer and staff scientist for Hughes for 30 years and was involved in the design and development of the TOW and Phoenix missiles. Through a work study program with Hughes, he attended University of Arizona for two years working toward a master's degree in physics. Throughout his life he wore many hats - father (of 5 children - 1 boy, 4 girls), handyman (he could fix anything), artist (sculpture in wood and metal), singer (church and University choirs), inventor (bicycle and the "Watersnake" water bottle holder) and grandfather (to 8 grandkids - 5 girls, 3 boys). He could always be counted on to come to the rescue when things broke down or home projects needed a knowledgeable hand or when a babysitter for the grandkids was needed. When his kids took up skiing in high school, he relearned how to ski and became an avid skier across the world (Europe "Northern Alps", New Zealand "Southern Alps", Canada - though Jackson Hole in Wyoming remained his favorite). When he retired from being a "rocket scientist" at Hughes in 1989, he became an avid mountain biker and member of Southern Arizona Mountain Bikers Association. He actively maintained trails and led rides for SAMBA and even skied up until his cancer limited his activities. He is survived by: his wife of 53 years, Norma Peterson; a brother, Wayne Peterson; two sisters: Gloria Jacobsen, MaryJo Christiansen; five children and spouses: Drs Todd and Jayne Peterson, Laurie Peterson & Earl Fuchs, Ann Peterson & Kirk Saunders, Julie Peterson & Thomas Todd, Sonja Peterson & Hunter Magee; and eight grandchildren: Erin, Kayla and Derek Peterson, Annamarie and Kirsten Fuchs, Peter and Camille Todd, Silas Magee. A memorial service will be held 2PM on November 6th at Dove of Peace Lutheran Church, 665 W Roller Coaster Rd, Tucson AZ 85704. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Dove of Peace Lutheran Church or the Tucson Community Food Bank.