Richard Peterson

Richard Peterson of Casper, Wyoming passed away peacefully on January 23, 2018 at the age of 90. Born at home in a Continental Oil camp outside of Edgerton, Wyoming on January 21, 1928, he was the second of three children born to Rasmus and Erma (Beliel) Peterson. He attended school in Midwest, Parkerton, Gurnsey, and Fort Laramie, following his fathers work as a pumper for Continental Oil. He considered Fort Laramie as his home High School, but his father's work took him to Billings Montana, where he graduated at semester to join the navy just after his 17th birthday in 1945. He was assigned to LST 648 and was present at Tokyo Bay the day the Japanese signed the surrender to the Allied Nations on September 2nd, 1945. He spent the next 11 months in Japan until his discharge in August, 1946. After his service he returned to Bridger Montana where he purchased an Oval E service station. After a year he decided to look for a career that you didn't have to work 7 days a week and had better benefits. He heard that the telephone company was hiring lineman in Wyoming and on September 9th, 1947 he hired on with Mountain Bell Telephone company. On weekends he would head back to Bridger where he met Alice Skorupa, that he married on February 20th, 1949. After their wedding Richard and Alice Traveled with the Line Crew to 23 different towns in Wyoming over the next 10 years, and had 2 children Rick, and Vicki while on the road. With a 3rd child on the way Richard (Pete) decided to take a Junior Engineers position in Casper and settle down. While in Casper 2 more children Brion and Yvonne were added to the family while Pete worked his way up to District Engineer with over 45 engineers working under him in the early 1980's. On December 30th, 1983 he retired from the telephone company (now Quest) with over 36 years of service. Richard and Alice were able to Travel to many countries including England, Scotland, France, Mexico, Canada, and throughout the Caribbean. They also traveled to much of the United States in their Motor Home. He enjoyed all forms of hunting from birds and small game to Elk, spending many a snowy November north of Dubois hunting Spring Mountain and Elkhorn Ridge. He also enjoyed fishing from Brookies in the Big Horns to Walleyes and several 40 inch plus Northern Pike in Canada. Richard was a 60 plus year member of Christ United Methodist Church. A 60 year member of the American Legion where he served as Commander and in the Drum and Bugle Corps. Had all 4 children in the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corp, and in 1969 followed the Troopers on their 28 day tour to Toronto, Canada, to the East Coast down to Atlanta, across to New Orleans and back to Wyoming. Member of the Telephone Pioneers, 30 plus year member of the Shrine, T Patrol. And Avid Snowmobiler making the 500 mile MS ride from Lander to West Yellowstone and Cody several times. The Cabin he built on Casper Mountain was his favorite place to go to relax and sit on the deck where you can see all the way to the Bighorn Mountains. Richard is survived by his sons Richard Gene Peterson and Brion (Teresa) Peterson; daughter Yvonne (Jack) Pulanco; grandchildren Chad (Stacy) Myron, Velvet Tyler, Nathan (Carey) Myron, J.C. Pulanco, Sonya Lappi, Dustin Peterson, Garrett Peterson, Shay Wolf, Wade Wohl; great grandchildren Sterling, Amora, Chase, and Liam. Richard was preceeded in death by his wife of 67 years Alice, his Parents, his brothers Gail and Franklin, and daughter Vicki Beck. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 Monday, January 29th, 2018 at Christ United Methodist Church at 1868 S. Poplar with Pastor Dan O'Dell officiating. Internment will take place at 11:00 at the Oregon Trail Veterans Cemetery. With a lunch and memories to follow Back at Christ United Methodist Church. Viewing will be from 3:00 to 5:00 on Sunday, January 28th at Bustard's Funeral Home who is assisting the family with arrangements. Please make any Memorials to the Shriners Children's Hospital.

Service

Monday, January 29, 2018 10:00am

Christ United Methodist Church

1868 So. Poplar

Casper, Wyoming 82601

Visitation

Sunday, January 28, 2018 3:00pm - 5:00pm

Bustard's Funeral Home

600 CY Avenue

Casper, Wyoming 82601