Dr. Wesley Peter Peterson

1937 - 2022

Peterson, Dr. Wesley Peter
September 26, 1937 - September 20, 2022

Dr. Peter Peterson, a passionate and compassionate man with a contagious smile, an easy laugh, and a generous spirit, passed away in Englewood, CO, at age 84. His many contributions will live on through his professional legacies, his volunteer and philanthropic efforts, and his whole-hearted love.
Peter was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence B. Peterson and Martha E. Hallberg; his sister, Marilyn Swanson; his wife of 51 years, Mary Peterson; and his grandson, Colin Peterson. He is survived by his son, Eric P. Peterson (Anne Mairs); daughter, Lisa C. Peterson (Douglas Blaisdell); and two grandchildren, Trinity Mairs, and Molly Peterson.
Born in Jamestown, NY, Peter graduated in 1955 as valedictorian from Southwestern Central High School, and in 1959, he graduated, Cum Laude, from Allegheny College, with honors in chemistry. Peter earned his M.D. from Harvard Medical School in 1963. During his time at Harvard, he met the great love of his life, Mary Laraway Denton. They wed on July 27, 1963.
In 1967, Peter completed his internship and residency in Internal Medicine at the Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital. He served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps from 1967-1969, first as a staff physician in Kansas, then in Vietnam, as Director of the Emergency Room in Ah Khe. In 1969, Peter moved his family to Denver, CO to complete a fellowship in pulmonary diseases. He then served as the chief resident in internal medicine at the University of Colorado Medical Center. In 1972, Peter started his private practice in pulmonary diseases and continued in that practice until he retired in 2001. During his time in the medical profession, Peter served as Medical Director, Respiratory Care Department, at Porter, Littleton, Swedish, and Craig hospitals. He authored or co-authored 13 articles in professional journals and was interviewed for the McNeil/Lehrer NewsHour. He also co-authored a chapter in the textbook, "Spinal Cord Medicine," which had far-reaching implications for students of respiratory medicine. While working at Craig Hospital, Peter researched and developed protocols to wean patients from ventilators. He was instrumental in composing the Clinical Practice Guidelines, "Respiratory Management Following Spinal Cord Injury" which contained his protocols. The guidelines were published by the Paralyzed Veterans of America, translated into several languages, and used around the world.
Peter loved traveling and camping in Colorado and around the U.S. Peter and Mary also went overseas, traveling to China in 1983, Africa in 1989, and both Israel and Russia in 2008. In 1996 and again in 1998, Peter was invited to Vietnam to train doctors how to use ventilators, and he took Mary with him. While in Vietnam, Mary and Peter established a close friendship with Loc and Phuong Tran, and offered to host their son, Toan, as he completed high school and community college in Denver.
In retirement, Peter was an active member of First Universalist Church of Denver, teaching Sunday School and serving on several committees. In 2007 and again in 2010, he received awards from the church for his work in social justice. In 2012, Peter was awarded Allegheny's Gold Citation for his professional and volunteer contributions. He had a passion for mentoring students, which began while he was at Harvard and continued in retirement as he tutored in several Denver area schools. He also designed a summer internship at Craig Hospital and established scholarship funds at four schools.
Loving and beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Peter enjoyed spending time with family throughout his life, whether that meant sitting and conversing or participating in activities such as skiing, hiking, attending sporting events, playing board games, or cheering on his kids and grandkids in their activities. Peter will be missed, but his legacy will live on in those whose lives he's touched. As he often said in his later years, "I've had a good life."
A memorial service will be held at 4pm on May 20, 2023, at First Universalist Church of Denver, 4101 E. Hampden Ave., Denver, CO. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The American Red Cross or Craig Hospital.