Roy Sidney Peterman

Roy Sidney Peterman (affectionately known as Grandpa and Bobby to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren) passed away peacefully in his home in Provo, Utah on October 11, 2025, at the age of 78.
II. Life Story /Shortened life sketch (Obituary Notice)
Roy Sidney Peterman was born April 10, 1947 in Burley, Idaho to Kenneth Lee and Zelma Whittaker Peterman. At age eleven, he moved with his family to Riverside, California, where his father worked as an accountant for Sunkist. Though he spent much of his youth in California, Roy's heart always belonged to Idaho. Each summer, he returned to help his Grandfather Chester, Uncle Cash, and family friend Wally on their farms. Those days instilled in him a lifelong love of the land, hard work, and perseverance.
Roy graduated from Ramona High School in Riverside, California in 1965. He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Central German Mission from 1966 to 1968. Upon returning home, he attended Riverside City College, where he served as president of the Latter-day Saints Student Association and met his wife, LaDonna Winn. They were married April 10, 1970-Roy's 23rd birthday-and moved to Provo, Utah, where he attended Brigham Young University. He graduated in 1972 with a Bachelor of Social Science in Psychology with a minor in German.
Roy began working for the BYU Grounds Department in 1970 as a sprinkler fitter and developed a lifelong passion for beautifying the university campus. He became Director of Grounds in 1978, a position he held until his retirement in 2013. Roy oversaw countless projects in Utah, Idaho, and Hawaii. In 1985, Roy visited China as a member of a delegation of the U.S. Grounds Administrators, and he enjoyed sharing stories from his travels to China and his participation in the Great Green Wall Initiative.
Roy founded BYU's Recycling Program, which became both a major environmental and financial success for the university, earning him recognition as National Recycler of the Year two years in a row. He also served the community on the Provo Beautification Committee and as a consultant for the Provo City Council. He shared his passion for hard work with his children through the family business, Aquagreen. The shenanigans and adventures that this business brought to his large family are core memories for all of them.
A lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Roy served faithfully in many callings, including bishop of the Provo 20th Ward, stake explorer chairman, stake high councilman, and branch president at the Slate Canyon Detention Center-where he began a scouting program for the youth there. Of all his callings, this one was his favorite.
Roy found joy in serving others and working with his hands. Whether beautifying a campus, mentoring youth, or boxing as a young boy, he gave his best to everything he did. Roy will be remembered for his love of the gospel, dedication to service, and the beauty he brought to the world around him.
III. Family
Roy is survived by his wife, LaDonna Peterman, their children Randall (Jerusha) Nelson-Peterman, Julianna (Walter) Johnson, Dallin (Elizabeth) Anderson, Christopher (Kristy), Dawn (Dave) Draper, Daniel (Mindy), Kasielyn (Joe) Yarborough, Casandra (Cole) Goddard, Natasha (Jacob) Burdett, 25 grandkids, 4 great grandkids (and one on the way!), and his younger siblings Kenna McComber and Michael Peterman.
Roy is preceded in death by his daughter Janalee Peterman; parents, Kenneth and Zelma Peterman; daughter-in-law Allison Peterman; and son Galen Lawrence Anderson.
IV. Service Information
A memorial open house gathering will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building at 1498 E 800 S in Provo, UT on Saturday, November 1 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
V. Closing Sentiment
Roy loved creating order and beauty, often saying, "All colors in their right place to make it beautiful."
In lieu of sending flowers to the Peterman family, they request that you honor Roy's memory through planting flowers, giving flowers to someone in your life, or enjoying the beautiful colors nature has provided.
If you'd like to share your favorite memory of Roy, the family invites you to visit his memorial website: roypeterman.com.