Vernon LeRoy "Captain Bud" Peterson

For all those who spend a lifetime on self-promotion and seem to have sold their followers on the need for a flamboyant final tribute, there are people like Bud, whom you actually want to be like, someone you'd want your kids to emulate. It wasn't just his boat handling and mechanical skills, although I can't turn a wrench without feeling his presence. It was his values, his pleasure in a good day's work, his willingness to help and teach how to do a job right, his sense of fairness, his unabashed membership in the working class, his empathy for the little guy--burly liberal values foreign to anyone I knew 27 years my senior. When Bud spoke with you, he had that quality of making you feel you were the most important thing happening at the moment, and yet, thankfully, he wouldn't hesitate to call you out when your thinking was cockamamie.
All of us need--and plenty of us seek--someone to guide us in a way our immediate families can't. In the early 1980s, Bud was that teacher. He led me through places I probably had no business being. Now, I'll have to live with the fact that I didn't tell him so. Proof that plenty of times, the good don't always die young. For my mentor and pal, Bud, no more trouble in River City.

Dear Linda, Bonnie and Jack - I'm thinking of you at this time, as you feel the loss of your Dad. When I think of your Dad, I can almost hear his deep voice and see his smile. Your family will always hold a special place in the hearts of the Swanson family. With love and many happy memories of you and your Mom & Dad,
Leslie Swanson Reddick

Dear Bonnie, Linda, Jack and Family,

It was our privilege to provide care for your beloved father. We share in your grief and send you our love.

Your Friends at Little Hospice

We will miss Bud's booming voice and unique sense of humor in the neighborhood. He always had not only a ready story and well-placed jibe, but a willingness to lend a hand whenever one was needed. What a wonderful neighbor to have had the pleasure of knowing for the last 23+ years!
Our thoughts are with his family on their loss - know that he touched many others' lives.

Laurie & Jim Mertz

Dear Linda and Bonnie -

Thinking of you both and your family. Praying you find peace and comfort in the memories that you share.

With heartfelt condolences,
Luanne Welter & Jolene Bennett(Welter)

JR & I want to send out our deepest condolences to the family. JR shared many fond memories with me, & I am grateful that I got to meet Uncle Bud on a couple of occasions. May fond memories always remain alive in your hearts.