Richard ‘Pete’ Edward Peterson: Feb. 10, 1970 – Oct. 25, 2018

Richard “Pete” Edward Peterson, 48, passed away on Oct. 25. He was born in Escanaba, Mich., on Feb. 10, 1970, to William and Karen (nee Jerow) Peterson.

Pete graduated Escanaba High School in 1988 and from there he would find a career in the Navy, joining in June 1988.

Pete was stationed in Oak Harbor at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island for most of his career, with a short stint at Naval Station Great Lakes in North Chicago. Pete was an AME (Aviation Structural Mechanic for Safety Equipment), working on ejection seats and environmental systems on the EA-6B Prowler.

He spent more than five years of his career on aircraft carriers in the Mediterranean Sea and Persian Gulf, serving six month deployments on the Enterprise CVN-65, Kennedy CV-67, Roosevelt CVN-71 and Eisenhower CVN-69. He was a veteran of the Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and several other campaigns.

He retired in 2011 as a Navy chief at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, of which he was extremely proud. Shortly after retirement, he moved with his family to Lake County where he resided at his passing.

Pete was one-of-a-kind people person and made friends wherever he went. He never met a stranger and would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it.

His sense of humor and infectious laugh was just one of the many things people loved about him. He also loved loud muscle cars, Harley Davidsons, the Packers and heavy metal rock; but most of all he loved his family. He married the love of his life, Laura (nee Prindle), in 2001 in Lake Forest, Ill.

Pete is survived by his wife of 17 years, Laura; his loving children Tosha (Donte Singleton) Peterson, David Peterson, Robert Schlegel, Sam Peterson and Zach Peterson; his grandchildren Kiana, Kiara, Taylee Singleton; his parents William and Karen Peterson; parents-in-law, Jan and Carl Schons; sister-in-law Kelly (Joel) Sartin; and nephew Dominic and niece Gianna Sartin; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

He also had many special friends whom he considered family.

Pete was preceded in death by his sister Julie Ann Peterson; grandparents Robert and Millie Jerow, and Henning and Grace Peterson.

A memorial service will be held Nov. 10 at Joy Lutheran Church, 749 S. Hunt Club Road, Gurnee, Ill, 60031. Visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m., service at 11 a.m., with a light luncheon to follow. A Celebration of Life Service will be held during the summer of 2019 on Whidbey Island.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Wounded Warrior Project in loving memory of Richard “Pete” Peterson. Info: Wenban Funeral Home 847-234-0022 or www.wenbanfh.com