Richard E. Peters

Richard E. Peters “Pete” -- passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of 4-11-2017 at Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital with family at his side. He was born in Sutton’s Bay, Michigan on 4-14-1938 to H. Edmund & Bernice (Garthe) Peters. He was very proud of his “German” & Norwegian ancestry. He worked the cherry orchards of the family farm in Northport, MI in his youth and later in his retirement. As his health declined unable to travel it disheartened him to think that he would never return to Leland & Traverse City, MI (the Cherry Capital of the world) where he grew up.

He dreamed of joining the Navy and as soon as he turned 18 he enlisted. As an Engineman and proud Vietnam Veteran he was sent to 8 different duty stations, including Guam. While stationed in Panama City, FL working on a tugboat he and his shipmates pulled up a small octopus that didn’t survive. He brought it home where it was preserved in a peanut butter jar for many, many years. My mother said that the doorbell would ring while we were eating dinner and people would ask to see it. His children took it to school for show and tell and amazed their classmates. While in Japan he was able to order and bring home the motorcycle of his dreams, a Honda 450 on the U.S.S. Hamner. For Christmas he sent – hand made silk pajamas, embroidered with our names. He brought home among other things a hand carved coffee table, a pearl ring & earrings for one daughter & emeralds for another.

He retired from the Navy in 1976 while stationed in Great Lakes, IL having taught the first class of female sailors at the Engineman A school. He then took a position at the Zion Nuclear Plant where he worked for 18 years until his final retirement.

His mother ever concerned about his health did not care for his nicotine addition. On more than one occasion he was overheard telling her that he had “been around the world twice & to three county fairs” he could “take care of himself!”

He enjoyed collecting John Deere tractors, old engine shows. He enjoyed the outdoors, especially playing golf, boating, camping, hunting, fishing and hanging out with the boys. He looked forward to the U.S.S. Bordelon Reunions that took them all over the U.S. His love of sweets was legendary, he couldn’t have imagined life without his 8:00 dessert. Pete had a special twinkle in his eye and was always ready with a joke, quick to pull something out of his pocket to amuse or make you smile.

No matter where he was he never forgot his wedding anniversary or how long he had been married. On April 10th, their 59th wedding anniversary , his devoted wife Patricia sat at his bedside because the doctors had told the family the day before that death was eminent. He was kept comfortable, and everyone knew that there was no hope, and the hours passed … Pete was determined not to leave his bride on their anniversary. He always chose to do things his own way and this too would be his final decision.

He is survived by his wife Patricia (Bates) and their 4 children who miss him dearly, Sherry Mader (Michael), Susan Carey (Kevin), Karen Peters Leafblad & Richard Peters (Stacy). They have 8 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren, who loved spending time with their grandpa very much. He is survived by 3 siblings, Elizabeth Doerr of Traverse City, MI, Wilfred (Bud) Peters (Ann) of Woodburn, OR and Mary Proctor (Jim) of Vail, AZ. Special friends, Nancy, Casey, Evelyn Tomaszewski and Cory Leafblad. He was preceded in death by 3 of his 6 siblings, Dorothy Carpenter of Traverse City, MI, John Peters of Camino Island, WA and Peter Peters from Port Orchard, WA.