Stephen "Steve" Peterson

1943 - 2021

Stephen "Steve" Peterson
October 6, 1943 - May 14, 2021
Bellingham, Washington - Stephen (Steve) Walter Peterson, loving husband and father of two, passed away peacefully at the age of 77, May 14th, 2021.
Steve was born October 6th, 1943 to Ralph and Olive Peterson. He graduated Bellingham High school in 1961, received his bachelor's degree in education from Western Washington University in 1966, and received his Master's degree in Education, also from Western, in 1970.
He taught for a time in San Diego as a middle school teacher, later moving back to Bellingham, and working in real estate. A lifelong interest in weight training led to him opening a gym, Steve's Body Firm, where he eventually met the love of his life, and future wife, Judy. After closure of the gym, Steve pursued his other passion, photography, and started his own photography business, which lasted until his retirement.
After meeting at the gym, Steve and Judy were married in Hawaii November 14th, 1988. Together they helped raise Judy's two sons and they travelled the world together with multiple trips to Asia, Europe, Mexico, and many roads trips through the United States. They enjoyed time with their family and friends. Judy's extrovert and social personality were a perfect match for Steve's introverted personality and dry sense of humor.
Steve's interests included target shooting, traveling, nature photography, a love of cats, and the history of the old American west. As a teenager, he became interested in bodybuilding and weight training. That passion would last the rest of his life, and rarely a day passed where he didn't get a workout in. Steve was preceded in death by his father, Ralph, and his mother, Olive, and brother in law, James Bring. He is survived by his wife Judy (Bring) Peterson, sons Joel (Rainy) Anderson and Jerret Anderson, granddaughters Avery and Finley, and cat Taboo.