Richard L. Peterson

Richard L. Peterson was born June 7, 1925, to Carl and Ruby Peterson in Minneapolis, MN. As a child, along with his 3 sisters, Muriel, Bette, and Shirley, they moved a lot and lived in several communities across Minnesota and Wisconsin. They settled in North Branch, MN, where he graduated from high school in 1943, lettering in football and basketball.

In the fall of 1943 he entered the United States Navy and was a quartermaster on his ship, the LSM 145. He earned a Purple Heart in the battle of Iwo Jima. For the next 14 months he was hospitalized in the Pacific and eventually Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In an excerpt from his life story it reads: “From San Francisco, together with 65 other amputee Sailors and Marines, we embarked on the “amputee train” for Philadelphia, PA Naval hospital – a five day journey. At every town or city where we stopped hundreds of people would turn out to welcome us home, bands played and American flags and banners flew. Quite a welcoming all across the country. Guess they thought we were some kind of heroes, although I never felt that way.”

After Richard was discharged, he attended the U of M where he graduated in Mechanical Engineering and business. Showing his competive nature, he played baseball in the Town-Ball League on a “wooden leg”, claiming he wasn’t the slowest player. Eventually, he also added racquet ball and pool to his sports competitions.

Richard owned and operated Tool Engineering, Inc and Ramsey Carbide Technology. A golf lover, he was a long time member of the Minneapolis Golf Club. He was a life long member of Vision of Glory Lutheran Church in Plymouth and for 20 years Richard volunteered for Hennepin County Corrections, leading Bible Studies at the “workhouse” and the downtown jail.

He loved all things family and friends and wanted meaningful conversation with everyone. He adored his family and took every opportunity to engage and entertain. He loved to spend time with the grandchildren and used that time to get to know them and maybe influence and challenge them.

Richard passed away at home surrounded by family on April 22, 2026 and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He is survived by loving wife Janet; daughter, Tari Meister; son, Michael Nelson (Helen); grandchildren, Jennifer Hegge (Daniel), Lindsay Northrup, Ben Meister and Ryan Nelson; six great granddaughters, Brooke, McKenna, Sophia, Ella, Charlotte and Stella; brothers-in-law, Robert Bakken and Duane Bakken (Linda); many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, son-in-law Dean Meister, and three sisters.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Tuesday, May 12 at Vision of Glory Lutheran Church, 13200 Highway 55, Plymouth, with visitation after 9:30 AM. Interment at Hope Community Church Cemetery- Memorial Meadows of Hope, 19951 Oswald Farm Rd, Rogers, MN 55374.