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BORN

1926

DIED

2018

Bruce Peterson Obituary

Bruce Peterson

Born: January 5, 1926; in Chicago, IL

Died: August 14, 2018; in St Augustine, FL

Bruce Peterson passed away August 14, 2018 in St Augustine, FL at the age of 92 surrounded by his family.

He was born January 5, 1926 in Chicago, IL to Hobart Peterson and Janice Smith Peterson. He grew up in Batavia, IL and joined the Marine Corp serving at Iwo Jima in WWII. He married Carolyn Christensen in Batavia on August 28, 1948 and they raised 4 children. He attended Illinois State Normal University and was a Social Studies teacher and Track & Field coach at Kaneland High School in Maple Park, IL where he took many successful teams down state to the championship and the Peterson Athletic Field was named in his honor. He was a long-time member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Batavia, IL and later at Memorial Lutheran Church in St. Augustine.

Bruce is survived by his wife of almost 70 years, Carolyn; 4 children, Mary Hassler, Boulder, CO, Carla Groover, Ocala, FL, Bob Peterson, St Augustine, Tom Peterson (Joni), South Elgin, IL; a brother, Mark Peterson (Ellen), Sarona, WI; grandchildren, David Hassler (Tessa), Christie Hassler, Aaron Groover (Cheryl), Melissa Hood (Kyle), Bruce Groover, Greg Peterson, Maurine Peterson; and 2 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Leighton Peterson; and son-in-law, Tom Groover.

Services were held at Memorial Lutheran Church on August 17.

Contributions in his memory may be made to Memorial Lutheran Church or Community Hospice of Palliative Care, St Augustine.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Kane County Chronicle on Aug. 23, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
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Pete Gallanis

August 10, 2021

The man was one of a kind. God bless him and his family.

Gary Baum

August 26, 2018

Pete was an amazing person and he is one of the main reasons I became a teacher and a coach. Pete was every bit a large part of Kaneland. Go Knights! God's many blessings to him, his family and those that are better for knowing Pete.

August 20, 2018

Thanks for your service

rick lally

August 20, 2018

RememberBruce very well great person his brother Mark and i were great friends had loads of fun shooting baskets on sundays at Kaneland HS . RIP GOAT

Ron Hubbard

August 19, 2018

Bruce was in every sense of the word, A GOOD MAN! He will be sorely missed.

JoAnn Cregier

August 19, 2018

Bruce taught and coached when I was at Kaneland, a long time ago. Good man and role model. Sincere sympathies to his family.

August 18, 2018

God Bless Pete. As Often yelled during our stretching in track and field. Spread out ! if a bomb dropped we would all be killed. !!!! Pete was one of a kind . The Best Period. The world needs more like Pete ! C D R 1982

John Russell

August 17, 2018

Such a modest obituary for a man who had a positive impact on so many. I have many great memories of Pete. As a member of one of his state championship track teams I had the privilege of being coached by him. He was a tough but kind man with an excellent BS detector. Opposing coaches marveled at his ability to get talented athletes to participate in his track program. He finally did relent and allow a summer baseball team at Kaneland, but the truth was, athletes loved competing on his teams. Yes, we suffered through tough conditioning but it was worth it. When I was on his teams, every single athlete on his track team was required to run at least one mile race in a competitive track meet. Including shot putters and hurdlers. I was one of those hurdlers. One of my fondest memories is seeing Pete run down the last hundred yards of a mile run outside the track alongside a very modestly talented kid gutting out his last place finish with Pete yelling boola boola Phil Patula! When, modestly talented too, I managed to make a qualifying high jump for the state track meet Pete Peterson jumped over the chain link fence (he had to be in his late 40's!) shouting and pumping his fist. He never mentioned his WWII service at Iwo Jima (he had to be in his teens when he was there?) in my presence. I am thankful for his service and his influence in my life. I hope this is some consolation to his family and I hope his heavenly reward includes enjoying a nice cigar.

Bill & Andi Rieckert

August 17, 2018

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Skip (Patrick) phillips

August 17, 2018

he will be greatly missed the best teacher ever. lots of fond memories.

peter gallanis

August 17, 2018

I can still remember seeing "Pete" walking the halls of Kaneland, puffing his cigar, sipping coffee and humming to himself. Fine man, great coach, motivator and teacher. He had a profound influence on my life.

Kathy Walz

August 17, 2018

My sympathy to the family. Bruce was an icon at my alma mater, Kaneland High School Class of 63. May he rest in peace!

Ron Anes

August 17, 2018

As so many I feel very fortunate to have been one of your track projects. You were not only a great coach, teacher and human being but a true inspiration to so many. Thank you for being you.
Also thank you for serving our country and making a difference in so many lives. You will live on through our memories.
RIP coach

Rhonna Moffitt Hemm

August 16, 2018

Mr Peterson was a wonderful teacher and a truely memorable man. (class of 67)

Janice Wright Carnes

August 16, 2018

I knew 'Pete' first as a teacher and then as a colleague. I always enjoyed his laugh. Remember his live of cigars and in no way would KHS have a baseball team because it would affect his track team.

Jeff Stran

August 16, 2018

Rather than sadness, I choose to rejoice and celebrate a truly remarkable life. His place in heaven is secure. I feel blessed to have been a tiny cog in his life

Peggie Boldt

August 16, 2018

Tom and Joni, I am so very sorry for your loss. I pray that your memories will be of comfort to you in the days to come and that you will receive God's peace to heal your grief.

Carol Murray

August 16, 2018

I will always have fond memories of Bruce.He had a kind heart and wonderful spirit.

My heart goes out to you Carolyn and your family.

May you rest in peace Bruce.

Robert Stanfield

August 16, 2018

Have a wonderful trip on this next part of your great adventure

Russetta Rauch (class of 1964)

August 15, 2018

Mr. Peterson was an interesting and dedicated teacher. He was intense when needed and humorous too. My condolences to his family and friends.

Jim Faust

August 15, 2018

Mr Peterson was an outstanding teacher and an inspiration for me in pursuing a career in education. To this day I recall the lessons of history and civics he taught as well as the sportsmanship he passed on. Surely he will be missed. A great human being. A heartfelt prayer to his family and friends.

Jim - Carol Rombough

August 15, 2018

Prayers and fond memories are what we have to remember our dearly departed. May the love of family and friends comfort you during these difficult days, our most heartfelt condolences. I am glad to have bend his right hand man going thru my Senior year at Kaneland High School and helping him out when ever he needed help since he was the Athletic Director at the High School. I am glad that I new this Great man for over 55 plus years and I will always call him my dad because he taught me how to be man growing up. He will truly be missed and he will never be forgotten, Rest in Peace Bruce.

August 15, 2018

I am forever thankful to coach Peterson for changing my life thru track and field and sending me down my career path of teaching and coaching. He influenced so many lives for the better. Rest in peace Hall of Fame Track coach. With deepest sympathy, Jim Martin K.H.S.1965

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