From the Eau
Claire Leader-Telegram
Oscar Peterson
Oscar was born
in Eau Claire, Wisconsin on Dec. 22, 1941, to Ruth (Rosolack) Peterson and
Maj. Ethan Peterson. He was raised in Eau Claire and graduated from Eau
Claire's Memorial High School (Class of 1959) and the University of
Wisconsin in Madison. He died at his home in Tacoma, Washington.
As a Telecommunications Engineer for over 40 years, Oscar's career
encompassed the full range of telephone technology from party lines and
operator switchboards in rural Wisconsin to fiber optics in California's
Silicon Valley. Over the years he worked in telecommunications
transmission, construction, and equipment companies including GenTel
Wisconsin, Lenkurt, Southern Pacific Communications/Sprint, Microwave
Associates, Telseon and Bechtel, where he was the Chief Telecommunications
Engineer in their San Francisco office for 3 years.
Both before and after his retirement in 2002, Oscar was an active
community volunteer serving in the Cursillo ministry, the Kairos Prison
ministry and representing St. Nicholas in his church and community for
many years. He served as Treasurer of NAMI-Pierce (the National Alliance
on Mental Illness in Pierce County), as Treasurer of NAMI-Washington and
of its annual NAMI-Walk fundraiser. He was also an active member of the
Tacoma Historical Society, the Great Northern Railroad Historical Society,
and the Tacoma Northwestern Model Railroad where he was President.
Oscar was a sweet, gentle man who was a wise mentor to many and a friend
to many more. He is survived by his wife Ginny, children Martin Couret and
Helen Peterson and two grandchildren. Memorial services will be held in
Tacoma, Washington and in San Carlos, California, where he lived for many
years. Please sign online guest book at www.tuellmckee.com.