December 14, 1944 - October 20, 2013
Richard Clarit "Pete" Petersen Obituary
(Age 68) Passed away early Sunday morning, October 20th from complications related to cancer. He was born in Lake View, Iowa December 14, 1944. His early summers were spent working with his father at Petersen's Bait and Tackle on the shores of Blackhawk Lake. A memory he described often was the vision of his father's reflection across the water in the early light as they went seining for minnows, the drops from the net spreading across the water before it dropped down trapping the small silver darts in the shallows of the lake. His eloquence in describing the ephemeral nature of the moment reflected his lifelong love of the written word and the outdoors, which he passed along to friends, family and his students in his early years following college. When asked to think of Pete, the first thing to come to people's minds was his infectious humor and his love of cooking. He was the "candy man", running a wholesale candy business for the past twenty-plus years. When he would walk into the room with a crooked grin and mischief in his eyes, a good joke was sure to be coming. His love, best friend and partner, Annette Silver shared his good spirits. For them the past two decades were filled with love, laughter and joy. It was his difficulty during their Sunday ritual of working the crossword that helped lead to the discovery of his Glioblastoma. Despite what equated to a diagnosis of terminal brain cancer, Pete and Annette worked hard to beat the odds. When Annette awoke to a quiet room at the Spokane Hospice House on Sunday, she knew that though he had passed, his presence would always be a part of those he loved. Pete is survived by Annette Silver; his sister Ruth Bremer (Jerry) of The Villages, FL; three children Amy Petersen and son Cody of Liberty Lake, Andrea Belec (Dan) and daughter Lyla of Carlsbad, CA and Andrew Petersen (Vanessa) and daughter Alsea of Portland, OR; Brian Golden (Laini) and daughters Mia and Remi of Sacramento, CA, Renee Haniu (Ken) and daughters Emi and Mika of Bellevue, WA and Zelig Golden of Berkeley, CA. They are grateful to acknowledge the joy and humor that he brought to their lives. In his last years Pete was happy to spend time with his three grandchildren, one from each child and his four other special girls. It was obvious his love and humor was to be shared with another generation. A wry smile, light in his eyes and a message that even in the hard times "Life is Good". He will be missed, but his laughter will endure. A private celebration of his life has been held. Memorial contributions to Hospice of Spokane, P.O. Box 2215 Spokane 99210 in Pete's memory would be appreciated.
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