Phil Peterson

PHIL PETERSON, (74)

November 12,1938 - May 9, 2013

Phil was born November 12, 1938 in Salt Lake City, Utah, to William Godfrey and Ruth Agnes Phillips Peterson. As a boy, Phil enjoyed making model trains and wood carving. He was also a good baseball player. Phil graduated from West High. He married his childhood sweetheart, Reinje, in 1956 and earned his pharmacy degree from the University of Utah in 1968. During school he often worked two jobs in addition to his classes in order to support his young family. Phil was also very proud to have been a member of the Army National Guard.

Phil had an adventurous spirit. He moved to Alaska, but ultimately his desire to be near family brought him back to Salt Lake where he worked for many years as a pharmacist at Alta View Hospital.

After retiring, which for Phil only meant reducing his work hours to part-time, Phil pursued his real passiona€"learning and sharing his knowledge with others. Phil was an avid historian and spent more than twenty years visiting historic, battle and memorial sites, primarily from WWII. Phil loved touring with Valor Tours and met many friends on these trips. He was very pleased to be able to plan and lead a tour for the 71st Anniversary at Pearl Harbor during December, 2012. In addition to history and traveling, Phil was proud to support the Salt Lake City Fire Department, and enjoyed continuing education classes.

Phil enjoyed nothing more than sharing stories and pictures from his trips especially during Sunday dinners or other family gatherings.

Phil's travels took him to all seven continents and throughout the Pacific. Phil documented his travels in his memoirs which he dreamed of someday publishing. Despite his love for travel, Phil was always happiest to be home with family, especially during holidays. He enjoyed the company and support of his children and grandchildren and was always especially proud of their accomplishments and quietly grateful for their assistance.

Phil's good nature, enthusiasm and stories will be missed by his family, friends and by those who had the opportunity to travel with him.

Phil is survived by his children Marty (Ivy) Peterson, Ruthanne (David) Young, Harry (Lori) Peterson and Anita (Alex) Swainston and by eighteen grandchildren, his ex-wife, Reinje, and sister, Nancy. Phil is preceded in death by his brother, Richard and two grandchildren.

A private family memorial will be held to remember Phil. Condolences may be sent to a shared family inbox rememberingphilpeterson@gmail.com