Richard "Dick" Peterson

1923 - 2023

May 20, 1923 - Jan. 11, 2023 Manhattan Beach resident, and WWII veteran Richard Lionel Peterson passed away peacefully in his sleep at 99 1/2 years young. Dick lived his life with gratitude, humor and respect of family, community and the world around him. He was a humanitarian, mentor to many and advocate for equality and acceptance of self and others. He lived by the Golden Rule. Dick was born in Hynes, CA (now Paramount). Due to a housing shortage, the family was living in a tent house next to cow pastures and walnut groves. As the noon whistle blew, Dick was born in that tent and often laughed that, at the moment he entered this world, he was surrounded by nuts and bull crap. The family moved to Fallon, Nevada also living in McGill and Ely where Dick attended White Pines High School. In 1941, Dick returned to Los Angeles where he enjoyed big band music at the Hollywood Bowl and danced at the Palladium with his sister, June. He was soon drafted into World War II becoming a Corporal in the U. S. Army Air Force stationed in Spanhoe, England. Post war he received his BA at Cal State LA, became a teacher in the L.A. City Schools and taught at U.S. Air Force Dependent Schools in Japan and England (1952-1956). Subsequently, he became a training officer with the Air Force Ballistic Missiles Division in Inglewood then transferred to the Federal Aviation Administration in L.A. and in Anchorage, AK. Dick retired from the FAA in 1986 after 33 years of distinguished service. Dick was a member of Pacific Unitarian Church, served as president with the Unitarian Fellowship of Anchorage and was on the Board of Trustees for the Pacific Southwest District of the UUA. Dick supported organizations that protected the environment, nature and civil and human rights. He volunteered with the Shanti Foundation, AIDS Heartline, Being Alive-South Bay, PFLAG and was a devout sponsor of AA. He was a member of the ACLU, Save the Redwoods League, Phi Sigma Kappa, and the Human Rights Campaign. Throughout his life, Dick enjoyed music, theater, travel, reading, camping and interacting with people. In 2013, Dick moved to a senior community in San Jose to live near his sister June and family. Dick is preceded in death by his parents, Lillian Cissna and Henry Lionel Peterson, brother Hal Peterson and sister Dorothy June Sythe. Though Dick never married or had children, his nephews and nieces were very dear to him as were his friends whom he loved and valued as family. Dick is a perfect example of a life well lived. A Life Celebration to honor Dick Peterson will be held on April 22, 2023, 10:30 AM at the Pacific Unitarian Church 5621 Montemalaga Dr, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275. In lieu of flowers, please enjoy nature and think of our Uncle Dick. Donations: Save-the-Redwoods League or the ACLU.