Richard Victor Peterson

1934 - 2025

Richard V. Peterson

September 28, 1934 to September 14, 2025

 

Richard Victor Peterson passed away in his home in Lampe, Missouri surrounded by family.  Memorial services will be held on Saturday, October 11 at the Kimberling City Methodist Church, 57 Kimberling City Center Lane, Kimberling City, MO 65686 at 11:00 am with luncheon to follow.

Richard, the son of Thelma and Arthur V. Peterson, was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. He attended school in Omaha and graduated from South High.  He enlisted in the United States Navy and served both as a reserve and active duty from January 1, 1953 through January 13, 1961.  Richard was granted leave to return home in February 1957 to marry the love of his life Eva Kratochvil. Upon returning to Omaha, he started his career with General Electric. He served in many positions with GE and moved from Omaha to Des Moines, Iowa, then to Mahomet, Illinois, and to St. Louis, Missouri. He retired in St. Louis after 33 years of service.

Richard, or “Dick” as he became known, had many passions in his life: music, softball, volunteering, chocolate, and—above all—his family. His love of music and deep baritone voice was shared with 8 church choirs earning the title “soul of the choir”, community theatres, and the Naval Base Choir in Hawaii. Dick played slow pitch and fast pitch softball in the same week for many summers in Omaha. He could be found playing catch with his children in the front yard and coaching them on the sidelines. He also volunteered at his churches, serving on administrative boards, pastor relations committees and United Methodist Men’s groups. Dick particularly enjoyed volunteering with the “Nail Benders” building at the Lives Under Construction Boys Ranch and refurbishing homes of those in need in and around Kimberling City. Finally, chocolate. Period. It became a requirement among his children and grandchildren to bring chocolate—cookies, brownies, candy, or a shake—whenever they visited the “lakehouse”.

Richard and Eva were married 67 years and blessed with 5 children, 5 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. Dick spent many evenings on the bleachers watching his children and grandchildren take the field. If not at the softball field, a baseball game, track meet, music concert, or football game, there was always something going on at church! Dick enjoyed preparing popcorn or bowls of ice cream to watch an evening episode of Wild Kingdom, a Walt Disney movie, or a Nebraska Cornhuskers football game with everyone gathered around. The whole family picked up cribbage, and they learned the hard way to count their points carefully. When a total was hastily declared, Dick would nod and say, “And the rest of the points you left behind are mine”—advancing his peg further down the board.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Thelma, his sisters Cathryn “Kay” Victoria Moore (née Peterson) and Rose Marie Barrett (née Peterson), and his brother Raymond Arthur Peterson. He is survived by his wife Eva; children Terri Peterson (David Niven), Jill Peterson, Eileen Miller (Steven), Marleen Peterson McWilliams (Penny McWilliams), and Christian Peterson (Crystal); grandchildren Tori Rezek (Ryan Schepers), Hallie Miller, Nolan Miller (Sydney), Dalton Peterson (Daniela Mendoza); Colton Peterson McWilliams, Bryson Peterson McWilliams and great grandson Roma Peterson.

Cremation was under the direction of Stumpff Funeral Home, Kimberling City, MO.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to: The Kimberling City Methodist Church Choir or your favorite music education program. The Boys Ranch www.lucboys.org; or the Feeding America BackPack school lunch program www.feedingamerica.org.