Name: Debo Funeral Home
Address: Fulton, MO

Dear Aunt Agnes, Brian, Dennis, and Family,
    We are sadden to  know we will not see uncle Dave anymore hear on earth, but we have great assurance we'll see him face to face again in our heavenly home.
    Thank God we have that hope, for God's holy word is yea and amen.Looking back on November 10,1962 Paul and I were married. Uncle Dave happily gave me away. Uncle Dave was so caring every step of the way, and Aunt Agnes was due next month to give birth to Dennis. You ironed my veil and made a great lunch for our wedding party. with all the girls youfound time to make them special too. We'll never forget that day. We just had our 49th anniversary. Thank you with all our hearts. You both were a special gift to us. 
      May out heavenly father give you strenght, day by day. Uncle Dave's smile was contagious, laugh,  and it made you smile too. we will be praying for your family.
love, 
    your niece Adele and Nephew Paul xoxo

Dear Aunt Agnes, Brian,Dennis,and Family,
     I have so many wonderful memories of my Uncle Dave. He made sure he took care of me as a young girl. Sorry I havent seen him in a long time, but I want you to know I loved him very much. 
     Love, 
         Carol and Herman

Opa,
Your life was full of loving deeds,
Forever thoughtful of our needs.
Today and tomorrow,our whole life through,
We will always love and cherish you...

Ps. 116:15..."precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints".  We'll miss Uncle David here on earth but we know one day we'll all have a great celebration being together again.  Jesus is waiting for us and so are those who have gone on before.  We pray Aunt Agnes, Brian and Dennis and your families will find comfort and peace in the days ahead.  He was a "fun uncle".  We were blessed to have a close family.
Love and miss you all.  Ruth Ann & John

We were so sorry to hear about the loss of Mr. Peterson.

It is always heartbreaking when the world loses such a good person.

His children, grand children and great grandchildren are shining examples of the loving family that David and Agnes began building together so many years ago. 

"The memory of a good person is a blessing." - Proverb 10:7

With Love & Sympathy,

The Jones Family

Brian and Family,

Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of great loss.  We sincerely hope that the sadness will soon be replaced with all the years of fond memories.

Sincerely,

Jennifer and Jeff Scanlan

May you cherish your loving thoughts and the love you shared forever.  And, may GOD continue to comfort you and keep you during this time. 

God bless

Dad, 

This poem seemed to complement your favorite hymn: "In The Garden".    

God's Garden:

God looked around his garden
And found an empty place,
He then looked down upon the earth
And saw your tired face.
He put his arms around you
And lifted you to rest.
God's garden must be beautiful
He always takes the best.
He knew that you were suffering
He knew you were in pain.
He knew that you would never
Get well on earth again.
He saw the road was getting rough
And the hills were hard to climb.
So he closed your weary eyelids
And whispered, 'Peace be Thine'.
It broke our hearts to lose you
But you didn't go alone,
For part of us went with you
The day God called you home.

Dad, We love and miss you.

Your daughter-in-law,

Azalea

Opa,  

I know you would laugh when I would crawl under the table and peek at you as well as running into you in getting your attention.  

Cayden (Typed on behalf of Cayden, 4 years old, who smiled when we shared such things with him)

There were a couple of additions added to the eulogy which was given yesterday.  I wanted to post that update so that everyone had the benefit of reading what was presented.

Thank you Cousin Ronnie for also reflecting on Dad's cheerful laughter.  Your comment was included in dad's eulogy.

Dennis, I also added to the eulogy that Grandma's prayers were answered when you received the calling.

Since previous entries cannot be updated, here is the updated eulogy that was delivered yesterday:

A Few Highlights From Dad's Life
(Eulogy, In Memory of my Dad on October 30, 2011)

· Dad was born as the youngest of eight children of Swedish immigrants, two of whom were twins and passed away at an early age.  The family came to the United States through Ellis Island in New York and settled in Union City, New Jersey.  Dad shared a bed with his two brothers and began working when he was twelve years old in order to provide himself with a few necessities that the family could not afford.  He worked at a butcher shop and when he was 14 years old he took the responsibility of visiting a dentist for the first time.

· Dad and some friends of his formed both a basketball and baseball team within the Police Athletic League.  They did not have sponsors but rather scrounged up their own equipment and uniforms.  The name of their team was the Blue Devils.  Grandma, who was “church go-er”, did not like the name but the boys continued to play under that banner.

· Dad was very dedicated and protective of his father and mother.  If anyone had anything bad to say about grandpa, my dad was the first to defend him.  Dad walked his mother to church three times a week in West New York, New Jersey.  Dad loved his parents deeply and continued to take close care of grandma up to the day that she passed away.  Dad's gentleness and good nature were carried forward into his family life with my mom, my brother and I.  He was also very close with his brothers, sisters, nephews, and nieces.  Both his nephew Ronnie and his nieces Debbie and Donna reminded me of dad's contagious and cheerful laugh that warmed everyone's hearts.

· Grandma encouraged dad in his pursuit to become a minister, but dad was unable to afford all of the necessities in order to attend Nyack College in New York.  Grandma prayed for all of us.  Her prayer for dad to become a minister was answered through my brother Dennis when he received the calling.  As to church, dad would often say that church services would be perfect if all they did was sing hymns.  Dad's favorite hymn was “In The Garden”.

· Dad started a career in accounting and eventually worked his way up to Cost Accountant Manager.  He was a wiz with figures and finances.  Give dad a math problem to solve and he would rarely use a calculator but rather immediately calculate the correct answer to the amazement of others.  

 
· Given his humble upbringing, dad was very responsible and frugal throughout his life.  He had considered home ownership as being out of reach for him.  Mom encouraged dad to purchase their first house.  Years later he recognized that home ownership was the best investment he had made in his life. Dad also did not believe in owning a new car.  He often reflected on his first car that had its passenger door held together by a piece of rope. Eventually, the cost of repairing used vehicles resulted in him purchasing his first new car.  After owning his first new car dad continued to buy a new car every few years or so; which he found to be the more frugal option.

· Dad was an avid sports fan throughout his life (especially baseball and football).  As an adolescent, dad would travel to the Polo Grounds via train for 5 cents to watch the New York Giants (not the football team but the baseball team).  In the 60's dad was a New York Mets fan.  I still have my signed 1969 Amazing Mets yearbook from a game that we went to via subway to Shea Stadium in Flushing Queens. When dad retired to Fulton, MO, he became a Cardinals fan.  We told dad that the Cardinals would win the World Series this year in his honor, which they did (it was like watching the “Amazing Mets” all over again – Dad would have immensely enjoyed it).

· But not only did dad enjoy watching baseball and football, he also enjoyed the horse races.  He and my uncle Larry were “big gamblers” splitting $2 bets between the two of them.  Their favorite saying when returning home was that they “broke even”.  Uncle Larry liked to refer to dad as his “partner in crime” and “Kimosabe”.  Another of dad's favorite sayings was “everything in moderation”.  Dad was also known for requesting “a half” of something – “a half of a cup of coffee”, “a half of a sandwich”, “a half of a piece of cake” (as a true Swede, dad loved to sit down at any kitchen table for cake and coffee).

· Dad also had a hobby as a part time radio announcer in 1971.  He paid for 15 minutes of air time a week for the Dave Peterson Show which was on at 5 AM in the morning.  Dad would let others pick songs for him to play on his show.  The theme song to his show was “Baby Love” by the Supremes. 

 
Dad and My First Basket

At 4 years old in Weehawken, NJ, my dad took me to a basketball court overlooking NYC on the Palisades.   He picked me up high enough so that I could make my first basket.  Years later in Ridgefield Park, NJ, my dad and Mr. Onello put up a basketball hoop on the side of our concrete garage.  My dad fell with the backboard but was ok because he said he knew how to fall by allowing himself to go limp. We practiced on that basketball hoop even though the ball would often bounce over the fence and go down the hill into a neighbor's yard. Yes, dad knew how to fall with the backboard and not brake a bone in his body.  But dad was also responsible for influencing me to enjoy the game, play college basketball, and serve as an example that allowed me to be a coach to my children and the players on my kids' basketball teams.  

One Thanksgiving, when dad was in his 70's, we played our last game of “Out” together on the basketball court at my home.  Dad could still make a basket at the time.  Dennis, Jason, David, dad, and I were able to enjoy that last basketball game together.  

I'd now like to express my gratitude to my dad for picking me up so that I could make my first basket and for putting up a basketball hoop for us despite almost breaking his back.  In many ways my dad picked us up throughout the years.  When I pick up my grandchildren to throw a basket, I can reflect on the first basket I made with my dad's help, when I was too small to do it on my own.  Through basketball and life dad has taught me lessons that will serve me well until the day when we can play a game of hoops with my dad in heaven.  We love you dad.  I love you dad.

Dear Agnes, Brian, Azalea and family.
 
Though the ones we love may leave life as we know it, in our memory, the love we know will always carry on.  We are truly sorry for your loss.  I know how close you were to your father and what an influence he had on your life.  May memories comfort you and bring you peace during this very difficult time.
Your eulogy says it all, your father had a good life.  You should be very proud of all his accomplishments.
 
Love,  Magali, Sofie, David

As you remember the little things,
   the quiet moments,  the smiles, the laughter.
  It may seem hard right now, but
   it will be the memories  of these little things 
    that help to push away the pain 
     and bring the smiles  back again
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, 
Love, Ana, Anthony and Danny

Family and Friends,

The funeral service yesterday went very well.  The eulogy (which was delivered as a collection of remembrances of dad) and the sermon (which was sentimentally tailored to dad's life) were both well received.  There was hardly a dry eye in the chapel.

My mom was well comforted throughout the viewings, funeral service, and burial; and after our family gathering she expressed how well done and thoughful the entire affair was.

The plants and flowers sent to the funeral home brought life into the chapel in tribute to the wonderful life that my loving dad lived.

Your words of rememberances just reminded all of us what a loving, gentle, and kind man dad was.

Dad, Grandma Peterson, and all of dad's brothers and sisters, I'm sure, appreciated our loving tribute to dad.

God Bless you all.

Brian.

The heart remembers most what it has loved best. May memories comfort you and bring you peace at this difficult time.  We love you, Magali, Sofie and David

You were always so kind and gentle with your grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  They will always remember you.

To the Peterson Family.  I want to tell you how sorry I am to hear about your dads passing.  Ill always remember your dads big, sincere smile.  He would always greet me with it when I came for a visit.  Along with an offering of something to drink or something to eat.  You are all in my thoughts.

Opa,

I love you and miss you. Thanks for the games of checkers, our walks and when I would spend the night and tell you to stop snoring. I couldn't have asked for a better gift than the memories I have shared with you.  I love you. You are always in my thoughts.

Love your granddaughter,

Heather

Opa,

I had fun finding Easter Eggs with you at your house.

Maddox (Typed on behalf of Maddox - 6 Years Old)

Dad, thank you for being the perfect  father-in-law.  We love you and will  miss you so much.  

                    Azalea

Opa, thank you for all of the great memories and I will never forget you. I love you.

Your grandson, David

Mom found a copy of dad's Sunday school record, which he kept all of these years.  I remember dad talking to me of his pride in having a perfect attendance record.  Dad was a somewhat unassuming and simple man (I mean that in the nicest possible way).  Still waters run deep...  Thanks to everyone for your multiple phone calls, text messages, emails, and positings on this website.  Your rememberances of dad are truly appreciated and cherished.  He was much loved.

Forgive the multiple postings of Dad's eulogy.  I've taken care to ensure that your respective inputs were reflected in honor of dad.

A Few Highlights From Dad's Life
Thanks to the feedback and input from multiple family members in adding to this collective memory of dad
(Eulogy In Memory of my Dad on October 30, 2011)

· Dad was born as the youngest of eight children of Swedish immigrants, two of whom were twins and passed away at an early age.  He shared a bed with his two brothers and began working when he was twelve years old in order to provide himself with a few necessities that the family could not afford.  He worked at a butcher shop and when he was 14 years old he took the responsibility of visiting a dentist for the first time.

· Dad and some friends of his formed both a basketball and baseball team within the Police Athletic League.  They did not have sponsors but rather scrounged up their own equipment and uniforms.  The name of their team was the Blue Devils.  Grandma did not like the name but the boys continued to play under that banner.

· Dad was very dedicated and protective of his father and mother.  If anyone had anything bad to say about grandpa, my dad was the first to defend him.  Dad walked his mother to church three times a week in West New York, New Jersey.  Dad loved his parents deeply and continued to take close care of grandma up to the day that she passed away.  Dad's gentleness and good nature were carried forward into his family life with my mom, my brother and I.  He was also very close with his brothers, sisters, nephews, and nieces.  Both his nieces Debbie and Donna reminded me of dad's contagious laugh that warmed everyone's hears.

· Grandma encouraged dad in his pursuit to become a minister, but dad was unable to afford all of the necessities needed in order to attend Nyack College in New York.  As to church, dad would often say that church services would be perfect if all they did was sing hymns.  Dad's favorite hymn was “In The Garden”.

· Dad started a career in accounting and eventually worked his way up to Cost Accountant Manager.  He was a wiz with figures and finances.  Give dad a math problem to solve and he would rarely use a calculator but rather immediately calculate the correct answer to the amazement of others.  

· Given his humble upbringing, dad was very responsible and frugal throughout his life.  He had considered home ownership as being out of reach for him.  Mom encouraged dad to purchase their first house.  Years later he recognized that home ownership was the best investment he had made in his life. Dad also did not believe in owning a new car.  He often reflected on his first car that had its passenger door held together by a piece of rope. Eventually, the cost of repairing used vehicles resulted in him purchasing his first car.  After owning his first car dad continued to buy a new car every few years or so.



 
· Dad was an avid sports fan throughout his life (especially baseball and football).  As an adolescent, dad would travel to the Polo Grounds via train for 5 cents to watch the New York Giants baseball team.  In the 60's dad was a New York Mets fan.  I still have my signed 1969 Amazing Mets yearbook from a game that we went to via subway to Shea Stadium in Flushing Queens. When dad retired to Fulton, MO, he became a Cardinals fan.  We told dad that the Cardinals would win the World Series this year in his honor, which they did.

· But not only did dad enjoy watching baseball and football, he also enjoyed the horse races.  He and my uncle Larry were “big gamblers” splitting $2 bets between the two of them.  Their favorite saying when returning home was that they “broke even”.  Uncle Larry liked to refer to dad as his “partner in crime” and “kimosabe”.  Another of dad's favorite sayings was “everything in moderation”.  Dad was also known for requesting “a half” of something – “a half of a cup of coffee”, “a half of a sandwich”, “a half of a piece of cake” (as a true Swede, dad loved to sit down at any kitchen table for cake and coffee).

· Dad also had a hobby as a part time radio announcer in 1971.  He paid for 15 minutes of air time a week for the Dave Peterson Show which was on at 5 AM in the morning.  Dad would let others pick songs for him to play on his show.  The theme song to his show was “Baby Love” by the Supremes. 

Dad and My First Basket

At 4 years old in Weehawken, NJ, my dad took me to a basketball court overlooking NYC on the Palisades.   He picked me up high enough so that I could make my first basket.  Years later in Ridgefield Park, NJ, my dad and Mr. Onello put up a basketball hoop on the side of our concrete garage.  My dad fell with the backboard but was ok because he said he knew how to fall by allowing himself to go limp. We practiced on that basketball hoop even though the ball would often bounce over the fence and go down the hill into a neighbor's yard. Yes, dad knew how to fall with the backboard and not brake a bone in his body.  But dad was also responsible for influencing me to enjoy the game, play college basketball, and serve as an example that allowed me to be a coach to my children and the players on my kids' basketball teams.  

One Thanksgiving, when dad was in his 70's, we played our last game of “Out” together on the basketball court at my home.  Dad could still make a basket at the time.  Dennis, Jason, David, dad, and I were able to enjoy that last basketball game together.  

I'd now like to express my gratitude to my dad for picking me up so that I could make my first basket and for putting up a basketball hoop for us despite almost breaking his back.  In many ways my dad picked us up throughout the years.  When I pick up my grandchildren to throw a basket, I can reflect on the first basket I made with my dad's help, when I was too small to do it on my own.  Through basketball and life dad has taught me lessons that will serve me well until the day when we can play a game of hoops with my dad in heaven.  We love you dad.  I love you dad.

Dear Aunt Agnes, Brian, Dennis and family,
   Stay strong...cause that is what Uncle David would want.  Thanks for being an example of a great wife for Uncle David, Aunt Agnes.  You have been unbelieveable with your display of giving to him.  I pray God blesses you with His presence and peace, now and always.

Love you,
Debbie and Rich
Ariel, Moriah and Zechariah

Uncle David was a wonderful uncle and a very kind, good man.  I have so many fond memories of him; especially of the innumerable Saturday mornings that he would come to the house to "play the horses" with my father.  The smell of coffee drifting out of the kitchen combined with his cheerful laughter filled the house with such a good, warm feeling that regardless of how early it might be, I would find myself sitting at the table to be a part of the Saturday morning festivities.  Uncle David's caring, relaxed, easy going manner has had a positive effect on my life and he will be missed.   My love and prayers are with you all.  Love Ron.  Rachel sends her love and prayers, too.

A Few Highlights From Dad's Life - Updated
(In Memory of my Dad on October 30, 2011)

· Dad was born as the youngest of six children of Swedish immigrants.  He shared a bed with his two brothers and began working when he was twelve years old in order to provide himself with a few necessities that the family could not afford.  He worked at a butcher shop and when he was 14 years old he took the responsibility of visiting a dentist for the first time.

· Dad and some friends of his formed both a basketball and baseball team within the Police Athletic League.  They did not have sponsors but rather scrounged up their own equipment and uniforms.  The name of their team was the Blue Devils.  Grandma did not like the name but the boys continued to play under that banner.

· Dad was very dedicated and protective of his father and mother.  If anyone had anything bad to say about grandpa, my dad was the first to defend him.  Dad walked his mother to church three times a week in West New York, New Jersey.  Dad loved his parents deeply and continued to take close care of grandma up to the day that she passed away.  Dad's gentleness and good nature were carried forward into his family life with my mom, my brother and I.  He was also very close with his brothers, sisters, nephews, and nieces.

· Grandma encouraged dad in his pursuit to become a minister, but dad was unable to afford all of the necessities needed in order to attend Nyack College in New York.  As to church, dad would often say that church services would be perfect if all they did was sing hymns.  Dad's favorite hymn was “In The Garden”.

· Dad started a career in accounting and eventually worked his way up to Cost Accountant Manager.  He was a wiz with figures and finances.  Give dad a math problem to solve and he would rarely use a calculator but rather immediately calculate the correct answer to the amazement of others.  

· Given his humble upbringing, dad was very responsible and frugal throughout his life.  He had considered home ownership as being out of reach for him.  Mom encouraged dad to purchase their first house.  Years later he recognized that home ownership was the best investment he had made in his life. Dad also did not believe in owning a new car.  He often reflected on his first car that had its passenger door held together by a piece of rope. Eventually, the cost of repairing used vehicles resulted in him purchasing his first car.  After owning his first car dad continued to buy a new car every few years or so.

 
· Dad was an avid sports fan throughout his life (especially baseball and football).  As an adolescent, dad would travel to the Polo Grounds via train for 5 cents to watch the New York Giants baseball team.  In the 60's dad was a New York Mets fan.  I still have my signed 1969 Amazing Mets yearbook from a game that we went to via subway to Shea Stadium in Flushing Queens. When dad retired to Fulton, MO, he became a Cardinals fan.  We told dad that the Cardinals would win the World Series this year in his honor, which they did.

· But not only did dad enjoy watching baseball and football, he also enjoyed the horse races.  He and my uncle Larry were “big gamblers” splitting $2 bets between the two of them.  Their favorite saying when returning home was that they “broke even”.  Another of dad's favorite sayings was “everything in moderation”.  Dad was also known for requesting “a half” of something – “a half of a cup of coffee”, “a half of a sandwich”, “a half of a piece of cake” (as a true Swede, dad loved to sit down at any kitchen table for cake and coffee).

· Dad also had a hobby as a part time radio announcer in 1971.  He paid for 15 minutes of air time a week for the Dave Peterson Show which was on at 5 AM in the morning.  Dad would let others pick songs for him to play on his show.  The theme song to his show was “Baby Love” by the Supremes. 

Dad and My First Basket

At 4 years old in Weehawken, NJ, my dad took me to a basketball court overlooking NYC on the Palisades.   He picked me up high enough so that I could make my first basket.  Years later in Ridgefield Park, NJ, my dad and Mr. Onello put up a basketball hoop on the side of our concrete garage.  My dad fell with the backboard but was ok because he said he knew how to fall by allowing himself to go limp. We practiced on that basketball hoop even though the ball would often bounce over the fence and go down the hill into a neighbor's yard. Yes, dad knew how to fall with the backboard and not brake a bone in his body.  But dad was also responsible for influencing me to enjoy the game, play college basketball, and serve as an example that allowed me to be a coach to my children and the players on my kids' basketball teams.  

One Thanksgiving, when dad was in his 70's, we played our last game of “Out” together on the basketball court at my home.  Dad could still make a basket at the time.  Dennis, Jason, David, dad, and I were able to enjoy that last basketball game together.  

I'd now like to express my gratitude to my dad for picking me up so that I could make my first basket and for putting up a basketball hoop for us despite almost breaking his back.  In many ways my dad picked us up throughout the years.  When I pick up my grandchildren to throw a basket, I can reflect on the first basket I made with my dad's help, when I was too small to do it on my own.  Through basketball and life dad has taught me lessons that will serve me well until the day when we can play a game of hoops with my dad in heaven.  We love you dad.  I love you dad.

MY DEAREST UNCLE DAVID,I HAVE SO MANY CHERISHED MEMORIES OF THE TIMES WE SPENT TOGETHER. YOUR CONTAGIOUS LAUGHTER ALONG WITH YOUR WINNING PERSONALITY WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.

AUNT AGNES, BRIAN AND DENNIS MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALL AND KNOW HOW MUCH ALLOF YOU ARE LOVED. HE IS WITH MY DAD AND CALLING HIM KIMOSABE OR IS IT VICE VERSA? I WILL MISS MY UNCLE DAVE.

ALL MY LOVE

YOUR NIECE AND COUSIN DONNA

EVEN THOUGH WE WERE MILES AWAY, I WILL MISS MY UNCLE
DAVID AND HE WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY HEART.  MAY GOD BLESS
AND HELP THE FAMILY THROUGH THIS HARD TIME.

LOVE AND PRAYERS,

DAWN

A Few Highlights From Dad's Life
(In Memory of my Dad on October 30, 2011)

· Dad was born as the youngest of six children of Swedish immigrants.  He shared a bed with his two brothers and began working when he was twelve years old in order to provide himself with a few necessities that the family could not afford.  He worked at a butcher shop and when he was 14 years old he took the responsibility of visiting a dentist for the first time.

· Dad and some friends of his formed both a basketball and baseball team within the Police Athletic League.  They did not have sponsors but rather scrounged up their own equipment and uniforms.  The name of their team was the Blue Devils.  Grandma did not like the name but the boys continued to play under that banner.

· Dad was very dedicated and protective of his father and mother.  If anyone had anything bad to say about grandpa, my dad was the first to defend him.  Dad walked his mother to church three times a week in West New York, New Jersey.  Dad loved his parents deeply and continued to take close care of grandma up to the day that she passed away.  Dad's gentleness and good nature were carried forward into his family life with my mom, my brother and I.  He was also very close with his brothers, sisters, nephews, and nieces.

· Grandma encouraged dad in his pursuit to become a minister, but dad was unable to afford all of the necessities needed in order to attend Nyack College in New York.  As to church, dad would often say that church services would be perfect if all they did was sing hymns.  Dad's favorite hymn was “In The Garden”.

· Dad started a career in accounting and eventually worked his way up to Cost Accountant Manager.  He was a wiz with figures and finances.  Give dad a math problem to solve and he would rarely use a calculator but rather immediately calculate the correct answer to the amazement of others.  

· Given his humble upbringing, dad was very responsible and frugal throughout his life.  He had considered home ownership as being out of reach for him.  Mom encouraged dad to purchase their first house.  Years later he recognized that home ownership was the best investment he had made in his life. Dad also did not believe in owning a new car.  He often reflected on his first car that had its passenger door held together by a piece of rope. Eventually, the cost of repairing used vehicles resulted in him purchasing his first car.  After owning his first car dad continued to buy a new car every few years or so.

 
· Dad was an avid sports fan throughout his life (especially baseball and football).  As an adolescent, dad would travel to the Polo Grounds via train for 5 cents to watch the New York Giants baseball team.  In the 60's dad was a New York Mets fan.  I still have my signed 1969 Amazing Mets yearbook from a game that we went to via subway to Shea Stadium in Flushing Queens. When dad retired to Fulton, MO, he became a Cardinals fan.  We told dad that the Cardinals would win the World Series this year in his honor, which they did.

· But not only did dad enjoy watching baseball and football, he also enjoyed the horse races.  He and my uncle Larry were “big gamblers” splitting $2 bets between the two of them.  Their favorite saying when returning home was that they “broke even”.  Another of dad's favorite sayings was “everything in moderation”.  Dad was also know for requesting “a half” of something – “a half of a cup of coffee”, “a half of a sandwich”, “a half of a piece of cake” (as a true Swede, dad loved to sit down at any kitchen table for cake and coffee).

· Dad also had a hobby as a part time radio announcer in 1971.  He paid for 15 minutes of air time a week for the Dave Peterson Show which was on at 5 AM in the morning.  Dad would let others pick songs for him to play on his show.  The theme song to his show was “Baby Love” by the Supremes. 

Dad and My First Basket

At 4 years old in Weehawken, NJ, my dad took me to a basketball court overlooking NYC on the Palisades.   He picked me up high enough so that I could make my first basket.  Years later in Ridgefield Park, NJ, my dad and Mr. Onello put up a basketball hoop on the side of our concrete garage.  My dad fell with the backboard but was ok because he said he knew how to fall by allowing himself to go limp. We practiced on that basketball hoop even though the ball would often bounce over the fence and go down the hill into a neighbor's yard. Yes, dad knew how to fall with the backboard and not brake a bone in his body.  But dad was also responsible for influencing me to enjoy the game, play college basketball, and serve as an example that allowed me to be a coach to my children and the players on my kids' basketball teams.  

One Thanksgiving, when dad was in his 70's, we played our last game of “Out” together on the basketball court at my home.  Dad could still make a basket at the time.  Dennis, Jason, David, dad, and I were able to enjoy that last basketball game together.  

I'd now like to express my gratitude to my dad for picking me up so that I could make my first basket and for putting up a basketball hoop for us despite almost breaking his back.  In many ways my dad picked us up throughout the years.  When I pick up my grandchildren to throw a basket, I can reflect on the first basket I made with my dad's help, when I was too small to do it on my own.  Through basketball and life dad has taught me lessons that will serve me well until the day when we can play a game of hoops with my dad in heaven.  We love you dad.  I love you dad.

A Few Highlights From Dad's Life
(In Memory of my Dad on October 30, 2011)

· Dad was born as the youngest of six children of Swedish immigrants.  He shared a bed with his two brothers and began working when he was twelve years old in order to provide himself with a few necessities that the family could not afford.  He worked at a butcher shop and when he was 14 years old he took the responsibility of visiting a dentist for the first time.

· Dad and some friends of his formed both a basketball and baseball team within the Police Athletic League.  They did not have sponsors but rather scrounged up their own equipment and uniforms.  The name of their team was the Blue Devils.  Grandma did not like the name but the boys continued to play under that banner.

· Dad was very dedicated and protective of his father and mother.  If anyone had anything bad to say about grandpa, my dad was the first to defend him.  Dad walked his mother to church three times a week in West New York, New Jersey.  Dad loved his parents deeply and continued to take close care of grandma up to the day that she passed away.  Dad's gentleness and good nature were carried forward into his family life with my mom, my brother and I.  He was also very close with his brothers, sisters, nephews, and nieces.

· Grandma encouraged dad in his pursuit to become a minister, but dad was unable to afford all of the necessities needed in order to attend Nyack College in New York.  As to church, dad would often say that church services would be perfect if all they did was sing hymns.  Dad's favorite hymn was “In The Garden”.

· Dad started a career in accounting and eventually worked his way up to Cost Accountant Manager.  He was a wiz with figures and finances.  Give dad a math problem to solve and he would rarely use a calculator but rather immediately calculate the correct answer to the amazement of others.  

· Given his humble upbringing, dad was very responsible and frugal throughout his life.  He had considered home ownership as being out of reach for him.  Mom encouraged dad to purchase their first house.  Years later he recognized that home ownership was the best investment he had made in his life. Dad also did not believe in owning a new car.  He often reflected on his first car that had its passenger door held together by a piece of rope. Eventually, the cost of repairing used vehicles resulted in him purchasing his first car.  After owning his first car dad continued to buy a new car every few years or so.

 
· Dad was an avid sports fan throughout his life (especially baseball and football).  As an adolescent, dad would travel to the Polo Grounds via train for 5 cents to watch the New York Giants baseball team.  In the 60's dad was a New York Mets fan.  I still have my signed 1969 Amazing Mets yearbook from a game that we went to via subway to Shea Stadium in Flushing Queens. When dad retired to Fulton, MO, he became a Cardinals fan.  We told dad that the Cardinals would win the World Series this year in his honor, which they did.

· But not only did dad enjoy watching baseball and football, he also enjoyed the horse races.  He and my uncle Larry were “big gamblers” splitting $2 bets between the two of them.  Their favorite saying when returning home was that they “broke even”.  Another of dad's favorite sayings was “everything in moderation”.

· Dad also had a hobby as a part time radio announcer in 1971.  He paid for 15 minutes of air time a week for the Dave Peterson Show which was on at 5 AM in the morning.  Dad would let others pick songs for him to play on his show.  The theme song to his show was “Baby Love” by the Supremes. 

Dad and My First Basket

At 4 years old in Weehawken, NJ, my dad took me to a basketball court overlooking NYC on the Palisades.   He picked me up high enough so that I could make my first basket.  Years later in Ridgefield Park, NJ, my dad and Mr. Onello put up a basketball hoop on the side of our concrete garage.  My dad fell with the backboard but was ok because he said he knew how to fall by allowing himself to go limp. We practiced on that basketball hoop even though the ball would often bounce over the fence and go down the hill into a neighbor's yard. Yes, dad knew how to fall with the backboard and not brake a bone in his body.  But dad was also responsible for influencing me to enjoy the game, play college basketball, and serve as an example that allowed me to be a coach to my children and the players on my kids' basketball teams.  

One Thanksgiving, when dad was in his 70's, we played our last game of “Out” together on the basketball court at my home.  Dad could still make a basket at the time.  Dennis, Jason, David, dad, and I were able to enjoy that last basketball game together.  

I'd now like to express my gratitude to my dad for picking me up so that I could make my first basket and for putting up a basketball hoop for us despite almost breaking his back.  In many ways my dad picked us up throughout the years.  When I pick up my grandchildren to throw a basket, I can reflect on the first basket I made with my dad's help, when I was too small to do it on my own.  Through basketball and life dad has taught me lessons that will serve me well until the day when we can play a game of hoops with my dad in heaven.  We love you dad.  I love you dad.

OBITUARY

David A Peterson

June 26, 1931 – October 28, 2011

Debo Funeral Home

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