Eric W. Peterson of Grays River, Wash., succumbed to colon cancer on Aug. 21, 2013. Born in Old Town, Maine, March 25, 1947, he was the son of Herman and Evelyn (Wyman) Peterson. He graduated from Stearns High School in Millinocket, Maine, and from Maine Maritime Academy, Castine, Maine, in 1969 as a marine engineer.

Eric married Nancy Watson in 1970 and moved to Washington in 1972. He began his sea-going career as an engineer with American Mail Lines and then as chief engineer for American President Lines. He was an avid sportsman, fly fishing, salmon fishing on the Columbia River and bird hunting with his beloved dogs.

Eric and Nancy have three children: Trevor, his wife Heather and daughter Abigail of Hillsboro, Ore.; Bror Peterson and his three children Carissa, Summer and Ryder of Fairview, Texas; and Brent Peterson and his girlfriend, Allyn Cantor, of Cannon Beach, Ore. He is also survived by three sisters, Donna Young, Laura Maloney and Susan Peterson, as well as two brothers, James Peterson and David Peterson. Some of his closest “family” were other engineers that sailed with him over the 40 years he was in the maritime industry. During the five years of his illness, they and their families have been a constant source of encouragement, prayers and sea stories.

A Celebration of his Life is planned for fall. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mark Thoreson, Shriners Hospital for Children-Portland, 3101 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, in Eric’s memory.