Robert Henry Peterson

4/25/1928 to 10/12/2023

University Place, Wash­ington - Our family is sad to announce that lifetime Taco­ma resident, Robert Henry Peterson, recently passed away peacefully at the age of 95 after a brief stay in an Adult Family Home in Uni­versity Place, WA overlook­ing Puget Sound, Fox Island and the Olympic Mountains.

Born on April 25, 1928 in Tacoma, WA, to Henry Ar­nold Peterson and Hazel B. Peterson, Robert graduated from Stadium High School in 1946. After one year at Washington State College, he transferred to the College of Puget Sound and graduat­ed in 1950 with a degree in Political Science. At CPS, Robert played saxophone in the stage band. He was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity.

Robert spent many high school and college summers at Pt. Defiance and Dash Point and in Eastern Wash­ington, he helped on horse ranches and fought fires for the Dep't of Interior.

Robert attended the Uni­versity of Michigan Law School for one year, then transferred to the University of Washington Law School, graduating in 1953.

After law school, Robert served in the U.S. Army as a First Lieutenant in the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps, receiving his training in Charlottesville, VA.

In music theory class at CPS, Robert met Mary Car­olyn Dobbs and they married in 1953. They recently cel­ebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.

Robert was in private prac­tice in Tacoma for 25 years. He was President of the Ta­coma-Pierce County Bar As­sociation and he also served a 3 year term on the Board of Governors of the Washing­ton State Bar.

Robert served on the Uni­versity Place School Board from approximately 1966 to 1973.

In 1981, Washington Gov­ernor Dixy Lee Ray appoint­ed Robert to the Pierce Coun­ty Superior Court where he served for 12 years. He was Presiding Judge for several terms.

After the Superior Court, Judge Peterson opened an office in downtown Tacoma for Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Service ("JAMS") where he conducted media­tions and arbitrations for 21 years, retiring in 2016.

Robert loved helping peo­ple and was respected for finding a thoughtful solution to their legal problems. He was a very good listener.

Robert was deliberate, ac­ademic and persistent. He was a positive leader and an entrepreneur.

Robert loved dogs, espe­cially his English Setters and Golden Retrievers. He was a dedicated tree farmer and he was talented at growing to­matoes.

Robert loved fishing for Steelhead in the rivers in Washington and Alaska and stopped over many bridges to inspect the river flow. Bob and Mary enjoyed taking their Tiderunner on fami­ly trips to the Canadian San Juans.

Robert was adventuresome and he climbed Mt. Rainier with Lou Whittaker as the guide. For decades, Robert and his wife led informal hiking groups into State and National Parks.

In retirement, Robert and Mary travelled abroad and they enjoyed Summers at Cherry Cove in Gig Harbor.

Robert loved the beauty, dignity and grandeur of our National Parks. Robert and Mary have donated to park conservation efforts.

It is tough to say goodbye, but Robert lived a very full, successful life. Dad leaves a very positive legacy and we all have gratitude.

Robert is survived by his loyal wife, Mary Carolyn Pe­terson, 3 children, Clifford, Sharon and Lori, 3 grandchil­dren, 2 great grandchildren, his sister, Janis Orders, her family and many other spe­cial relatives and friends.

Memorial services are planned for 11am on Friday December 15 at University Place Presbyterian Church. Donations may be made to the National Parks Conserva­tion Association.