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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.