This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: marysday Surnames: Peterson, Eckert, Cushman, Reyes, Sunday, Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.oregon.counties.lincoln/5207/mb.ashx Message Board Post: The News Times Newport, OR Wednesday, Jan 20th, 2010 John H. Peterson Jr. John "Pete" H. Peterson Jr., 82, of Waldport, Ore., died of cancer on Jan. 9, 2010 at his home. He was born on Nov. 2, 1927 to John Peterson and Teresa Eckert in Milwaukee, Wis. He was an adventurer who followed his dreams. A motorcyclist, he and his son traveled the country the year after the release of the movie "Easy Rider." He taught at Tustin High School in Tustin, Calif. until his retirement in 1982. He was also the vice principal responsible for the construction of Foothill High School in Tustin. He was a winning boys and girls track coach throughout his career and was creator of the Tustin Relays that began in 1959. He returned to graduate school while still teaching and earned a master's degree in marriage, family and child counseling. His last several years at Tustin found him working as a high school counselor. He was a volunteer at the Laguna Beach Free Clinic for 10 years and helped to create the Rape Crisis Unit. It was there that he met his wife, Ricki. They married in 1974. After his retirement, he and Ricki left Laguna Beach and moved onto 10 acres of wilderness land in the high foothills of the Sierra Mountains gold country of northern California. They built a log cabin out of their own trees, supplied their own power, water and heat, raised wool sheep, battled huge snows and lived with the beauty of unspoiled nature. He worked periodically in construction with his son Dane, and continued his volunteer work. Then he and Dane plunged into hard rock gold mining in Mexico. There were many trips to the Mexican interior over the past 20 years with stories of danger and excitement to rival most novels. In 1992, they moved and settled into a house that he built in Foresthill, Calif. It was here that he was able to realize another dream, raising and showing Morgan horses. He also began to make silver jewelry, cutting and polishing stones and making settings. In 2006, they moved to the central Oregon coast. He became a volunteer interpreter at the Oregon Coast Aquarium; a natural fit for a retired science teacher. He was preceded in death by his brother, Neil Peterson. He is survived by his wife, Ricki; son, Dane (Shelli) Peterson; daughter Pamela (Jim) Cushman; sister-in-law, Jan Peterson; granddaughters, Stacy (Rom) Reyes, and Jodi Sunday; grandsons, Derek and Bradley Peterson, Brent (Natalie) Peterson; three great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; and nieces and nephews. An informal gathering will be from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 24, at the Meadow Vista Rod and Gun Club in Auburn, Calif. His ashes will be buried with full military honors at 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 25 in the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars or the Disabled American Veterans. Bateman Funeral Home in Newport is handling arrangements. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.