David Bruce Peterson

1946 - 2021

David Bruce Peterson

Louisville - David Bruce Peterson was born in Toledo, Ohio, January 8, 1946, to Bennie Sue Blackburn Peterson and Richard Charles Peterson. He was a loving husband, father, brother, and a proud and doting grandfather. He left this life on August 3, 2021, spending his final days surrounded by those who knew and loved him.

David possessed a wicked sense of humor, enjoyed cross-word puzzles, was an unwavering fan of the Detroit Tigers, and loved driving his red Mazda Miata. He took up running in 1977 and that became his true passion. He completed races too numerous to count, including 13 half- and 12 full- marathons, ultimately qualifying for, and running, the Boston Marathon in 2006. David was drafted into the Vietnam war, receiving a Bronze Star for meritorious service, believing that you do your best regardless of circumstance. Practicing this belief, he excelled at most that he undertook, including his hard-fought battle to recover from his stroke in 2007.

David graduated from duPont Manual High School, the University of Kentucky, and the Kent School of Social Work. He was working toward his PhD and had completed all but his dissertation at the onset of his illness. He retired from his career as a social work administrator at the Kentucky Cabinet for Human Resources in 1996. He often remarked that he "failed" retirement and joined the faculty of Spalding University not 6 months later. It was while at Spalding that he discovered his love of teaching, and was at his happiest after conducting weekend seminars on ethics and social work practice.

David is survived by his wife of 53 years, Rita Blakeman Peterson, their daughter Eleanor, his son-in-law Nathan Cole, whom he respected and adored, grandsons Blake, Casey and Ellis, and his sister and brother-in-law Barbara and David Lee, who were steadfast in their care during his final years. He was predeceased by his son, Joshua David Peterson.

Friends and family are invited to visit 9:30-11:30 am, at the Stegner Shelter next to the pavilion at Hogan's Fountain in Cherokee Park (to the left of the parking lot near the basketball courts) on Saturday, August 7th. A toast in celebration of David's life will occur at 10:30am, close to the beloved roads on which he ran so many miles.

The family would like to thank his hospice care team at Hosparus Health of Louisville, Dr. Esther Costel, and the numerous friends, neighbors, and caregivers who loved and cared for David and his family.

Private interment will occur in Cave Hill Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be made to Olmsted Parks Conservancy