Richard K. Peterson Sr., 89: Navy Veteran, Proud Eagle Scout

CHELMSFORD, MA - Richard K. Peterson, Sr., 89, of Chelmsford, formerly of Lowell, passed away on Wednesday, February 24th, after a brief illness. He was the beloved husband of the late Mary Joan (Pater) Peterson, with whom he shared 59 loving years of marriage until her passing in 2009.

Born on June 7, 1926, he was the son of the late Alfred Loiselle and Alice (Kimball) Peterson. Richard was educated in the Lowell School System, and was a graduate of Lowell High School with the class of 1944.

Upon graduation, he enlisted in the US Navy and served as a sonar operator on the Destroyer Escort, Fessenden, until he was honorably discharged. After the war, Richard went on to attend Lincoln Technological Institute. He later graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering and an MBA from Northeastern University.

For over 40 years, Richard worked as a Quality Control Engineer for General Electric Wire and Cable Division in Lowell. He was a proud Eagle Scout, as well as an active member of the JAYCEES. Richard was Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council 4225. Until recently, he was a member of the Honor Guard of the VFW Walker Rogers Post 662. Richard loved geography and US travel. He and his wife, Mary, traveled to all 50 states and state capitals after their retirement. Richard also had a deep fascination with his family’s genealogy.

Richard is survived and will be deeply missed by his four children, Susan Durkee and her husband Ray of California, Barbara Vitale and her husband Michael of Lowell, Richard Peterson, Jr. and his wife Donna of Lowell, and Stephen Peterson and his wife Danielle of Chelmsford; four grandchildren, Olivia, Laura, Oliver, and Andrew and three great grandchildren, Christian, Gina, and Eleanor.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday at the Dracut Funeral Home, 2159 Lakeview Ave., Dracut. His funeral will be held from the funeral home on Monday at 7:45 a.m. with his Funeral Mass directly following at 9 a.m. in St. Francis Church, Dracut. Burial will take place in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Tewksbury. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Richard’s memory c/o Autism Speaks Inc., 85 Devonshire St., Boston, MA 02109, or on line at autismspeaks.org or to the Lowell Humane Society, 951 Broadway St., Lowell, MA or online at www.lowellhumanesociety.org/donate.

Obituary courtesy of Dracut Funeral Home