Timothy Dale Peterson MD

Dr. Timothy D. Peterson, MD, MPH, FACEP, age 56, entered his eternal reward with Jesus Christ on October 8, 2011 at his Clive IA home. Tim was born in Henderson NE July 6, 1955, and baptized into the Christian faith by his father, Rev. Delpho Peterson, that same year. Tim, the second of seven children, grew up with his parents and siblings in Saronville NE 1955-1957, Marcus IA 1957-1963, and Dayton IA 1963-1973. He was elected Jr. High Student Council President 1968-1969, confirmed in the Christian faith by his father at Emanuel Lutheran in Dayton 1970, earned a trip to Washington DC in 1972 after winning an essay contest, and graduated from Dayton Community High School 1973.

He studied pre-med courses at Drake University, Des Moines IA, graduating 1976, B.A., Summa Cum Laude. In 1977 he spent two months working in an Israeli Kibbutz near the Sea of Galilee, another two months in 1981 working at Curran Lutheran Hospital in Liberia (West Africa), in addition to volunteer medical work in Haiti 1984 and 1995. In 1981 Tim earned the Doctor of Medical Degree from the University of Iowa, Iowa City IA, and began his three-year Family Practice Residency at Broadlawns Medical Center, Des Moines, becoming certified by the American Board of Family Practice in 1984, and also certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine in 1989.

Tim spent his professional career working as an Emergency Medical Physician in a variety of settings around God’s world, including Keokuk (IA) Area hospital; Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Des Moines; Boone (IA) County Hospital; part-time as a cruise ship physician for Holland America (the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Mexico, around South America, Alaska, the Baltic). Tim previously served as Medical Director for regional ambulance services for the City of Windsor Heights IA Fire/Rescue, City of Clive IA Fire/Rescue, Dallas County Fire/Rescue, and Polk County Paramedic Assist, in addition to EMS/trauma consulting and volunteer work for many other EMS committees and task forces. Tim worked as State of Iowa EMS Medical Director for the Iowa Department of Public Health 1995-2003, chaired the American College of ER Physicians Trauma Committee 1996-2003, chaired the Trauma Systems Advisory Council for Iowa’s Trauma System 1996-2003, was President of Broadlawns Medical Staff 2002-2003, and a Past President of the Iowa Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians 1993 and 1994. Tim was also an Adjunct Assistant Professor for the College of Public Health, University of Iowa. During his phenomenal medical career, Tim received numerous research grants and awards related to trauma and injury control, with many of his study findings published in medical journals and other scientific publications. Tim was currently serving on the Global Health Ministries Board of Directors. God’s healing touch through Dr. Tim’s many medical efforts helped save and improve countless lives in Iowa and around the world.

Tim loved long distance bicycling and mountain biking, and did all or part of Iowa’s RAGBRAI on more than one occasion (most recent 2010). He also enjoyed downhill skiing, mountain backpacking, gardening (Tim made the best black raspberry jam!), his family, his neighbors, his church friends, and his family property in Bradenton FL. Tim was an accomplished pipe organist, playing periodically at Emanuel Lutheran Church (Dayton) and his home church St. Mark (West Des Moines). Tim had an enthusiasm for missions and medical ministry, most recently in Tanzania (East Africa), and several years ago organized a nonprofit Foundation, the PF Foundation, to help advance his passion. The PF Foundation will honor Tim’s legacy by continuing its Christian missions and medical work even after Tim’s death.

Tim remained single all his life. He was preceded in death by 72-year-old mother Phyllis Swedberg Peterson 2003, and by 1-month-old nephew Jonathan Peterson 2008. Survivors include father Delpho Peterson, Keokuk; brothers Roger (Melanie, Rachel, Matthew), Minneapolis MN; Dean (Diane, Alison, Jack, Sam), Scottsdale AZ; David (Lot, Mikki, Jackie, Nathan), Huntington Beach CA; Joel (Heidi, Annika), Arlington TX; sisters Pam Kelly (Mike, Alaina, Bradley, Nicole), Keokuk IA; Lori Duppstadt (Ric, Alex, Preston, Brandon), Arlington TX; and more than 100 first cousins, aunts, and uncles who loved Tim dearly. Memorials are directed to the PF Foundation, 9581 Lincoln Ave., Clive IA 50325.