In Memory

David Peterson

 

                                                                               

An introductory note: This announcement about our classmate David Peterson was prepared by his life partner Louise Miller. David’s recent illness prevented him from staying connected to this website. Louise allowed her contact information to be used in David’s profile. This enabled David to stay in touch with the class. Louise reported that, until quite recently, David was feeling strong enough to consider coming to the reunion next year.

A secondary note:  Freddie is the much beloved Lakeland Terrier who is pictured with David.

David Peterson, whose lively, infectious spirit brought joy to all who knew him, passed away on October 10, 2024, at the age of 77. An accomplished photographer, film buff, WWII expert, traveler and thespian, David shared his many passions and interests with a wide circle of friends and family, who delighted in his story-telling and warm, engaging personality.

Born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska, where he was the oldest son of Donald and Lillian Peterson, David graduated from Lincoln Southeast High School in 1965. Nine years ago in 2015, David brought his finely honed photographic talents to bear capturing memorable moments for his classmates at their 50th high school reunion. Upon graduation, David attended the University of Nebraska. After his freshman year, David traveled East to work in summer stock at the Lakes Region Playhouse in Laconia New Hampshire. There he was a jack-of-all trades, doing whatever was needed to support the performances, including running shows, building sets, selling tickets and organizing promotions and pranks alongside Ric Marsh, a buddy from Lincoln, who accompanied him.

Coming of age in the Vietnam era, David was drafted into the US Army in 1967 and served as an armorer at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and was later stationed in Okinawa. He was honorably discharged in 1969 and awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with a Bronze Service Star. Following his military service, David moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan where he attended Kalamazoo Valley Community College and worked at the Gibson Guitar Company before moving to the Bay area in 1971. He attended San Francisco State University where he received a BA in journalism. As a young journalist and photographer, David was in the thick of events swirling around San Francisco in the 70s. His personal photo portfolio includes shots he took at the time of the George Moscone assassination, as well as portraits of Angela Davis and other newsmakers of the day.

David held a wide variety of positions and freelance roles throughout the Bay Area, drawing on his communication skills and outgoing personality. One job he absolutely loved was managing the photo booth at Africa Marine World, USA, a wild animal park then located in Redwood City, now known as Six Flags in Vallejo. There he took amazing photos of lions, tigers, and baby leopards - you name it. He regularly cautioned visitors not to get too close to the elephants, explaining that “if you do, they will mug you,” meaning that they would use their trunks to rummage through visitors’ pockets in search of treats.

Among his cornucopia of hobbies and interests, David took special pleasure in documenting long-running costume events like the Renaissance Pleasure Faire in Marin County and midnight screenings and live performances of the Rocky Horror Show in Berkeley. There he was so ubiquitous that he was drafted to step into the gold lame shorts one night when the regular Rocky performer wasn’t available at the last minute. Even though he always said he didn’t have the sports gene, he became quite adept in archery and fencing.

David became well known, first as an employee and ultimately as the owner of the popular Elmwood Camera Store in Berkeley, where he served customers for more than 10 years. David and his dog Moose enjoyed greeting his many longtime customers and talking about everything photographic with fellow camera buffs.

In 1999, David’s already rich life became even more fulfilling when he united with his life partner Louise Miller, an MD and fellow Midwesterner. While they had met before in David’s camera store, a chance meeting in the airport in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where they were both visiting relatives for Christmas, brought them together in a relationship that flourished for the next 25 years and two generations of their beloved Lakeland Terriers.

David was always adventurous. He liked fast cars and BMW motorcycles. He and Louise enjoyed road trips to the Midwest and around California, as well as international travel to China, Cuba and Europe and cruises to Alaska and the Panama Canal. In 2017 David was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Although it slowed him down, David remained curious and engaged in the world around him, reading the New York Times every morning, playing with his beloved dog Adele, and facing his illness with grace and dignity.

David is survived by his life partner Louise Miller, brothers Scott Peterson (wife Sharon) of Portage, Michigan; Todd Peterson (wife Lisa) of Sutter Creek, California; nieces Allison Peterson (Brian) and Susan Zambo (Justin).

A celebration of David’s life will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1707 Gouldin Road, Oakland, on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the East Bay SPCA, Parkinson’s Foundation, or the charity of your choice.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of David L. Peterson please visit our Sympathy Store.



 
go to bottom 
  Post Comment

11/04/24 04:07 PM #1    

Jennifer Seyler (Jacobs)

I'm sad to hear of David's passing. My sympathies to his family.

He was a kind, openminded & creative person and I was pleased & surprised to discover he lived in the Bay Area when I ran arcross his camera shop on College in Berkeley many years ago now.

RIP dear David. Send some pictures from Heaven. 


11/06/24 04:06 PM #2    

Janet Carlson

So sad to learn of David's passing. He was such a bright light.


go to top 
  Post Comment