Eric Gregory Peterson

Eric Gregory Peterson lit up this world from his birth on December 12 of 1964 to his death on August 31, 2014 of kidney cancer. A life too short in years, but lived well. One of his favorite mottos was "Work Hard, Play Hard". His final days were spent at home in Scotia surrounded by his immediate family and visits from friends who filled his last days with humor and love. Eric's children were a big part of the shining light within him. He was thrilled at every milestone and was a constant force for their greater good. He married the love of his life, his soul mate, Anna last year after a six year engagement (he just wasn't as aware of it as the rest of us!) An avid fisherman like his father Gary, Eric loved the sport and fished often. If Eric wasn't selling houses, attending club meetings or at home with his family, you could find him at some body of water with a fishing pole in his hand and a smile on his face. Eric was the first born child of Dr. Gary T. Peterson and Mrs. Patricia C Peterson. He was born in Oakland and lived primarily in California for most of his years. One of his favorite memories was of the time he lived in Panama as an exchange student. Eric attended California State University at Chico where he earned his degree in Science, minoring in Mathematics. Eric earned his teaching credential and after a year student teaching at St. Bernard's High School in Eureka, CA., he realized he was not a disciplinarian and the enjoyment he received from teaching became overshadowed by a desire to be an independent businessman. With some mentoring from Larry Doss Sr, Eric found his calling in Real Estate, a career that has defined and shaped him for the last 25 years. He joined Ming Tree Realtors (then GMAC Better Homes and Gardens) and, true to his nature, he was determined to excel and earn as many distinctions as he could. He was honored with Rookie & Realtor of the year, was elected to the position of president of the Humboldt Association of Realtors, won several awards of excellence for marketing and service, served on numerous committees and represented his profession in many ways over the years. Ming Tree was his work family and Larry O. Doss, one of his best friends along with others, shared some of his favorite times - the brain "beer"-storming sessions where good ideas became great! While real estate and home life took up a lot of Eric's time, he believed in the importance of giving back to his community. Using the concept of the "Good Turn Coin" from the Boy Scouts, he was readily aware of how he could do a good deed daily. He was a Master Mason with the Six Rivers Masonic Lodge, a member of the Scottish Rite, the Widows Sons and a Shriner. As a member of the Henderson Center Kiwanis club, he was heavily involved in their fundraising efforts for the many programs they supported through the years, especially their scholarship program. Through these organizations, Eric helped to lift the spirits of mankind through service and charitable giving. Certainly Eric loved his family, but his true legacy is the large number of friends he has left behind. Rarely has there been a man such as Eric who enjoyed the company of so large a group of friends. Some were the kind of friends who could pick up where they left off, even if it was months/years since they last saw each other. Especially if the picking up was to head to a river with their fishing gear like he would with friend Brian Greene, who has known him since the 3rd grade. "Life is good!" was something we all heard coming from Eric throughout his life. If we could hear him now, he may say, "After-life is good!" He was positive in Spirit, generous to a fault, and friend and family member to so many. Eric was preceded in death by his father Dr. Gary T. Peterson; his grandparents Ernst Wilhelm & Joyce T. Peterson and Lavelle & Eva Cottam; and most recently his aunt and uncle, Renae V. & Lola Cottam. He is survived by his mother Patricia C. Peterson; his wife Anna M. Peterson; his two children Eric Taylor Peterson and Kayla Patricia Peterson (their mother Kelly Peterson); his brothers Kurt Sven Peterson & wife Jeanette of Las Vegas, NV and Christopher Scott Peterson of Elizabeth, NC and Kurt's children Kirsten L. Peterson of Ft. Collins, CO and Karson A. Peterson of San Angelo, TX. Eric also had a great relationship with his cousins, having recently seen most of them in the months before his death. They are: Michael Cottam of Portland, OR., Elizabeth Cottam of Woodburn, OR., Genevieve Peterson of San Fransisco, CA., Rosalind Peterson of Sioux Falls, SD., and Scott and Steve Lowden, both of San Jose, CA, two sets of uncles and aunts: Dr. Greg Peterson & Lynn Peterson of Sioux Falls, SD., and Bill Lowden and wife Karin Lowden of San Jose, CA. , nieces and nephew Amanda, stephanie and daniel arrington of Eureka, CA. and numerous members of the Arrington family. Eric also had three step children with his wife Anna: Andrea (Mike) Ratcliff of Eureka, CA., Kayleigh Malcomson of Boston, MA., and Logan Malcomson of Scotia, CA. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2014 at 12:00 noon at the River Lodge, 1800 Riverwalk Drive in Fortuna. The family sends a special thank you to Dr. Allen's office, and to Dr. Michael Fratkin and Hospice of Humboldt for their excellent care. Contributions may be made to The "Dr. Gary T. Peterson Scholarship Fund" of College of the Redwoods. Arrangements are under the care of Goble's Fortuna Mortuary, 560 12th Street, Fortuna, California. Please sign the guestbook at www.times-standard.com and click on obits.