Dale Clifford Petersen

Dale Clifford Petersen returned home into the loving arms of his wife Victoria (Vicki) on December 2, 2023. He was surrounded by his caring family at his home in Bountiful, Utah. He was 84 years old.

Dale was born on August 26, 1939, to Raymond and Jane Petersen in a house in Wendell, Idaho where he grew up with sisters LaVon (Bonnie) and Phyllis, and brother Walter (Walt). He lived close to his Grandma Rie and spent a lot of time at her house.
While growing up he did farm work, played the clarinet, and built houses with his dad. He played basketball and football and ran track in high school. He didn’t enjoy track, but it was required if they wanted to play football in the fall. His true passion was basketball. He played for the freshman team at the University of Idaho and his love of basketball continued throughout his life. He played several times a week well into his 60s when an injury prevented him from continuing to play. He was an avid lifelong fan of BYU athletics and the Utah Jazz.

Dale was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served a 2 ½ year mission to Argentina when he was 20 and a mission to Los Angeles, CA in his later years. He always held a calling throughout his adult life, including serving as bishop and transient bishop. He was the first to volunteer to help with any type of service that was needed.

He attended Brigham Young University where he earned both a Bachelors and Master’s degree in Civil Engineering. He worked as an engineer employed by Hercules, Fiber Science, Thiokol, and Bechtel Nevada designing missiles, rockets, and black box features for airplanes. He was a project manager and helped with the aftermath and resolution of the space shuttle explosion. Besides being an engineer, he could fix almost anything. A repairman was rarely at his home because he could do it all; from the car, to roofs, to appliances, and more.

He met his wife Vicki while they were attending BYU. They were married in the Oakland Temple on December 18, 1965 and spent the next 34 years together raising a family. They lived in several cities throughout Northern Utah and in Las Vegas, NV, developing close friendships everywhere they lived. They enjoyed getting together with friends and family to play Rook and other games.

After Vicki died, Dale was fortunate to meet Connie Hess. They were married in Logan and spent the next 17 years together. They lived in Las Vegas, NV, and Twin Falls, ID. Dale especially enjoyed the time they spent with his siblings and their Empty Nesters group.

Dale was a kind person who loved family and hugs. He was very involved in his children’s lives. He coached his kid’s basketball and baseball teams, and even though he had no soccer experience, he coached those teams as well. He spent many years as Scoutmaster, including the time that his sons were in scouting, helping each of them and many other boys achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. He also demonstrated his kindness by opening his home to foster children.

A fond memory of his children is how he used to lay by them at night, comfort them if they were feeling worried or sick, and talk with them about their days. He attended all their sporting events, concerts, and piano recitals. He was very patient and spent endless hours helping them figure out how to do their homework.  

He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, and wife Vicki. He is survived by his six children Ruth (Cliff), Cliff, Heather (Nathan), Ray, Trisha (Jacob), Nate (Christi), 14 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren with a third on the way.
Special thanks to the staff at Legacy House and A Plus Home Health and Hospice for their compassion and care.

A viewing will be held Saturday, December 9, 2023, from 9:45-10:45 a.m. with memorial services to follow at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 165 S. 1000 E., Bountiful, Utah.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary & Crematory Facebook page and on this obituary page. The live stream will begin 10-15 minutes prior to services and will be posted below.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your favorite charity in Dale’s name.