Ted was born to Ernest G. and Ann Bender Peterson on March 12, 1927 in Brooklyn, N.Y. He led an idyllic childhood in Plandome, Long Island, N.Y., and on a dairy farm in Bucks County Pennsylvania, where he and his brother Ernie learned to milk cows, tend to other livestock and ride their ponies.
Like most young men at that time, Ted was eager to serve his country in World War II. He volunteered in 1944, at the age of 17, upon graduating from Staunton Military Academy -- at the time, an all-male military academy in Staunton, Va. In the last days of the war in Europe, he served in Patton’s Third Army, searching for SS officers who were hiding in the mountains of Bavaria. He was then assigned to the United States Army Military Police, escorting participants and visiting dignitaries to the Nuremberg trials. Ted was honorably discharged in 1946 and returned to his parent’s home in Larchmont, NY. He went on to attend Columbia University before moving to Miami, Fla., where he completed two years of study at The University of Miami.
During a downturn in the economy in the early 50s, Ted left Miami for Houston, Texas. There, he met and married the love of his life, Paula Collins. In 1956, Ted was presented with a promising business opportunity and the couple moved to Beaumont, Texas. In the following years, Ted and Paula were blessed with four children, Dana, Ted Jr., Laura and Paige.
Ted found great success in the business world in Beaumont, owning and operating Ross Sales Brick Company and as co-owner of Galaxy Building Corporation. During this time, he obtained his private pilot’s license in order to visit brick plants and many of his customers who were located out of state. He loved flying his own plane.
Ted was a natural athlete. He was a boxer on the Miami Hurricanes boxing team and played short stop for the farm team of the Cleveland Indians. Later in life, he focused on golf and was a self-taught musician who could play several instruments for sheer pleasure.
Upon retirement in his 50s, Ted and Paula moved to Lakeway, Texas, where they made many lifelong friends and enjoyed the Lakeway lifestyle. This included as much golf as Ted could squeeze into each day, which earned him a 2 handicap.
Ted was known by family and friends as a funny, loving, generous and supportive Daddy who encouraged everyone to participate with him in all outdoor activities and sports. The family enjoyed summers sailing, swimming and fishing at the beach house Ted built on Bolivar Peninsula, in Texas. Winter vacations included trips to Colorado and Lake Tahoe, where he introduced his four children to all snow sports. He also taught his children the value of being a proud, patriotic American citizen and the practice of respect for others.
He will forever be dearly missed by his family and friends and all who knew him.
Ted Peterson leaves a legacy of a loving family: Paula, his wife of 66 years; four children, daughter, Dana and son-in-law Chris Portugal; son, Theodore Peterson, Jr.; daughter, Laura and son-in-law David Mulvey; daughter, Paige and son-in-law Gareth Williams; and three grandchildren, Florence Portugal, Kasey Zimmermann and Christian Mulvey.
“Any man can become a Father, but it takes love to become a Dad.” -- Pam Brown
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