Russell Peterson

Russell Ellis Peterson, 78, left this mortal life on May 24, 2014 due to the complications caused him by Parkinson Disease. Russ was born to Mary Magdalene Brady and Ellis John Peterson on June 22, 1935 in Ogden, Utah. He grew up moving from Utah to Wyoming to New Mexico to Kansas to Nebraska as his father engineered for the Bureau of Reclamation on many projects. He graduated from Franklin High School in Nebraska in 1954. He was an exceptional all-around athlete, being named a Nebraska High School All American. He was MVP at the Nebraska State Basketball Tournament as the Franklin Flyers won the championship.

Russ had scholarship offers from Nebraska in both football and basketball, but opted to accept a full-ride basketball scholarship to BYU where he played under Coach Stan Watts from 1954-1959. He played point guard and was BYU’s free-throw champion his junior year.

It was December 3rd, his freshman year at BYU, when he met Barbara Jean Stringham. “The best blind date I ever had.” They dated almost 3 years and were married on August 20, 1957 in the Salt Lake Temple by Apostle Harold B. Lee. Barbara has been a loyal and loving companion through all his adventures and misadventures, his ambitions and successes for nearly 58 years. His greatest success and joy has been his family whom he loved dearly. He was so proud of the good people they are.

He earned a BS degree with majors in physics and math, becoming an aerospace engineer for 32 years, working for Sperry/Rand and TRW Systems. Upon retiring early, he returned to school and became a Physical Therapy Assistant for 10 years at Stewart Rehab and McKay Dee Hospital in Ogden.

Russ had a passion for the Lord’s creations of the earth exploring and playing in the beauties of the mountains, deserts, lakes, and oceans. Daily, he hiked and ran trails and canyons along the Wasatch Front. He ran Crazy Bob’s Bairgutsman, a 13 mile race, starting on Mountain Rd. in Fruit Heights, up around the radar towers and down the back of the mountain for 15 years. His most recent great adventure was climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in 2005. He loved hiking the Milford Track in New Zealand; Machu Picchu, Peru; and the Rocky Mountains of Banff, Waterton, and Glacier; bicycling the White Rim Trail in Canyonlands; researching Indian artifacts in Southern Utah with the Weatherall Project; scuba diving in Hawaii and Roatan, Honduras; and sailing the seas of the Greek Isles, the Caribbean, and Alaska. In college, he had a summer job climbing the walls of Glen Canyon taking elevation readings prior to construction of the dam. He knew how to have fun, and those he worked and played with, enjoyed his charm, wit, and sense of humor.

Russ was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served in many callings throughout his life. His favorite was working with the Boy Scouts for many years as Scout Master and Eagle Advancement Committee Chairman. He was a deserving recipient of the Silver Beaver Award. Russ loved coaching his son’s little league teams, never raising his voice to them and teaching kindly.

Russ is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Marylyn Johnson. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; a daughter, Lori Johnson (Steve); a son, Bradley; daughters Lynette Harris (John) and Leanne Wood (Scott); and ex-daughter-in-law, Laura Peterson. He leaves 16 grandchildren (“My grandchildren are cuter than yours.”), and 11 great-grandchildren with 3 on the way.

The family wishes to thank HCNU Hospice, especially Eileen, Shelly, Ashley; and Adela from Right at Home for their wonderful care. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the BSA or the LDS Missionary Fund.

A viewing will be held at the Russon Brothers Mortuary, 1941 N. Main, Farmington, Utah, on Friday, May 30th, from 6-8 pm and Sat. May 31st from 10-10:40. Funeral services will be held at Russon Brothers Mortuary Sat., May 31st at 11:00 am. Interment in the Farmington City Cemetery.