DENNIS ROBERT PETERSON
Dennis Robert Peterson, 57, a long time Fairbanks, Alaska resident was called home to Heaven after his brief, but courageous fight against AML (leukemia) on Monday, Aug. 27, 2012 at the Seattle VA Medical Center in Washington.
Dennis Robert Peterson, 57, a long time Fairbanks, Alaska resident was called home to Heaven after his brief, but courageous fight against AML (leukemia) on Monday, Aug. 27, 2012 at the Seattle VA Medical Center in Washington.
He was born in Volin, S.D.
Dennis lived a life of adventure and much travel. After graduating from high school in 1973, Dennis enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Germany. Upon his return and later discharge from the Army, Dennis earned a degree in microbiology from the University of South Dakota-Springfield. After his graduation Dennis traveled around the lower 48 before turning north onto the Alaska Highway. It was love at first sight for Dennis with Alaska's mountains, hunting, fishing and cooler weather. Returning to South Dakota, Dennis enrolled the South Dakota School of Mines in Rapid City and then earned a degree in geology. After graduation from college, Dennis was anxious to return to Alaska where he went to work for Shannon & Wilson, INC. as a lab technician. Over the years Dennis' position would change and increase in complexity and responsibility. By the time of his early retirement in 1994, Dennis was now a Geological Engineer III.
On Dec. 31, 1988 Dennis married Ruthe Anne Swader in Sioux Falls, S.D. In order for all his Alaskan friends to celebrate in his marriage, Dennis dressed up again in his wedding suit, tie and cummerbund for a marriage blessing ceremony on Jan. 14, 1989 in Fairbanks Lutheran Church. Throughout his life, God played an important part in guiding Dennis in using his many talents.
Dennis was active in his churches as president, member of the church councils, men's prayer breakfast and most importantly his love for the technical world of sound as Zion's SNA (Saturday Night Alive) sound technician for many years. As an avid outdoorsman, Dennis enjoyed taking both his wife and daughter on numerous hunting and fishing trips.
Dennis is survived by his wife Ruthe Anne (Swader) Peterson and his daughter Brenda Swader-Doggett (her husband Bob) and his sister, two brothers and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Dennis is preceded in death by his mother Arlyss who passed away on Aug. 23, 2012; his father Robert in 1977; and grandparents Martin and Lottie Peterson, Praben and Vera Engen, and Gunda Engen.
MEMORIAL SERVICE: 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in Zion Lutheran Church in Fairbanks, Alaska. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting Memorial Donations be made to the Fairbanks Rescue Mission - Homeless Veterans Program or to Zion's Quilts of Valor Project. Dennis' ashes will be buried in a private Military ceremony at a later date.
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