Ande Hubert Peterson

Ande passed away peacefully November 9th, 2025, in Grand Junction, CO at the age of 91. He was born May 3, 1934, in Silverton, CO to Agatha (Salfisberg) and Gustave Peterson. His ancestors homesteaded near Durango in the 1880’s, later relocating to Silverton in 1900 for employment related to the mining boom at companies including the Iowa Mine Company, the Sunnyside Mine, the Waldheim mansion, and Western Colorado Power Company. After graduating from Silverton High School, Ande worked in various mine related jobs including assay and mill work. He later drove snowplow on Red Mountain Pass for San Juan County. He trained as a diesel mechanic and worked for CDOT as a mechanic and later as Shop Foreman in the Grand Junction office. He was dubbed the last of the “Magimpers”, meaning he could fix anything.

Ande loved the outdoors; fly fishing was his favorite, also 4-wheeling, hiking, canoeing, camping, traveling and helping others. He tried to catch every possible fish and climb every mountain in the San Juans. Ande could and would tackle any project. He was willing to go the extra mile to help anyone. He had a keen memory containing a wealth of history and was always willing to share a story of his escapades growing up in Silverton and some of the colorful characters who lived there. He had a passion for classical music.

Ande was preceded in death by brothers Karl and Fred Peterson, and his sister, Alice Wick.

Ande married Margaret Rathmell in 1959 (deceased 1995) and was a brother-in-law to Norman Rathmell (wife Karen).

Ande married his longtime friend, Virginia Beemer in 1999. She and her family survive him; Jeff and Teresa Beemer, stepson and daughter-in-law and their family; Jennifer and John Straus, stepdaughter and son-in-law and their family. Ande was a grandpa extraordinaire who taught the grandkids flyfishing, mountaineering, car mechanics and history. He has passed his love of the San Juans and his “Magimper” legacy to the next generation.

Memorial donations may be made to the San Juan County Historical Society.