RONALD "Ron" PETERSON

Ron Peterson passed away on Tuesday, June 21, 2016, at home in Fresno, CA, at the age of 71, following his very private battle with cancer. He was a lifelong resident of Fresno. He was born on August 4, 1944, in Phoenix, AZ, to father, Warren Lee Peterson, and mother, Violet Edna (Hansen). After the family returned to Fresno, Ron's brother, Jerry, was born. Ron graduated from Fresno High School in 1962, and obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from California State University, Fresno, in 1968. He achieved registration as a Civil Engineer in California in 1971, and Traffic Engineer in 1977. Ron considered his only child, Warren, to be his finest achievement. He was a dedicated, hands on father who coached a soccer team with enthusiasm, and provided fatherly guidance through teen and early adulthood years. Ron's career began at Fresno County Public Works in 1968, as a Junior Civil Engineer. After achieving the rank of a Supervising Civil Engineer in 1985, he was hired by the City of Clovis as the Assistant Public Works Director. He remained with the City of Clovis becoming the Public Works Director until 1994. Briefly, Ron was a private consultant, and then was hired as the Deputy Director of the Council of Fresno County Governments in 1995, retiring in 2005. Retirement lasted two weeks before he was convinced to take an "interim" job as the Executive Director of the Fresno County Transportation Authority where he remained until early 2016. Those who worked with him knew he was a professional man of few words, who easily garnered respect for his knowledge and abilities. Ron's greatest enjoyment away from work was restoring his muscle cars. He was a perfectionist and spent hours on a 1967 Oldsmobile 442, and a 1969 Chevelle. He also enjoyed trips to the beach and Huntington Lake with his second and current wife Penny, and his dog Lucky. Ron was overjoyed with the birth of his grandson Skylar in 2001, and granddaughter, Morgan in 2004. There were many trips to Sacramento, CA to visit, but he especially enjoyed the frequent times they stayed with he and Penny in Fresno. He loved being Poppy. Ron is survived by his wife Penny; son Warren; daughter-in-law Kelly; grandchildren, Skylar and Morgan; and his brother Jerry. He is also survived by his step-family who appreciated and loved Poppy, Robin and Michael Ward, and their children, Mason and Jenna; Nick and Liz Aniotzbehere, and their children, Izzy and Speed. A Memorial Service will be held at First Congregational Church, 2131 N. Van Ness Blvd., Fresno, CA, on Friday, July 1, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. Memorial donations may be made to the church; or to the donor's favorite charity.