Ralph D Peterson

Ralph D Peterson, 89 years old, passed away peacefully at his home on July 8, 2017. Ralph was born October 29, 1927 in Garfield, Utah to Katie and Peter Peterson. He graduated from Cyprus High School and the University of Utah. He married his high school sweetheart, Joyce Rushton, on July 6, 1949. They were happily married for 56 years.

In his younger years, Ralph worked at the Garfield Pool as a lifeguard and rode his bike to turn on the street lights to earn money. He was a dedicated swimmer and won many monetary awards that helped support him through school. He worked for the Department of Defense at Hill AFB for 30 years in Human Resources. In 1963, Ralph was selected by the U.S. government as one of eight to attend a graduate program at Stanford University. So he packed up the family and moved to California for a year where they made many friends and lasting memories. Ralph was an avid golfer and square dancer. He and Joyce traveled all over the United States attending square dancing conventions and he served as President of the Utah Square Dancing Association. Ralph loved to travel, garden and work with wood. Many of his projects were painted and sold. Ralph was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His greatest joy in life was being with his family, especially the grandchildren and his great grandsons.

Ralph was preceded in death by his loving wife Joyce, his parents Katie McKenna Peterson and Peter Peterson, and his brother Thurman. He is survived by his daughters Shauna Lunak and Kerry Reed (Ryan), his grandchildren Kristopher (Laci), BrookLynn (Tim), Stefanie, Michelle, Tyson (Sarah), Katie (Tyson), his great-grandchildren Halas and Lennon, his bothers Boyd (Dorothy), Roy, and Craig (Lynne), his sisters Glenna (Maurice) and Dorothy (Ron), and brother-in-law and best friend Kenny.

Many thanks to those who cared for Ralph these past several months. Special thanks to “Visiting Angels”, especially Kye Sook for her conscientious and loving care and Legacy Home Health Care and Hospice and his granddaughter and nurse, Stefanie.

A viewing will be held on July 13 from 6 – 8 pm at Valley View Mortuary (4335 West 4100 South, West Valley City, UT 84120). His funeral will be on Friday, July 14 at 11 am at Valley View Mortuary with a viewing preceding from 10:00 – 10:45 am.