Frank Newell Peterson was born on July 16, 1927 in Bellingham to Frank Marius and Mary Evalyn Newell Peterson. He graduated from Ferndale High School in 1945, living until college on the family farm in Ferndale. The Petersons were pioneer farmers in Ferndale and active members of the Ferndale Methodist Church.
In 1920 Mr. and Mrs. Frank M. Peterson responded to a plea for funds made through the church on behalf of the College of Puget Sound, starting a lifelong connection with the university. Together with his wife, two sisters, two daughters and seven nieces and nephews, 13 of Frank’s family members from two generations attended UPS.
Frank passed away on Feb. 27, 2017 in Tacoma, where he lived since 1954 with his beloved wife of over 60 years, Kathleen Weidkamp Peterson, who predeceased him in 2011. He received his BA degree from the College of Puget Sound in 1950. After marrying Kathleen on Dec. 16, 1950 in Lynden, he earned his master’s and doctorate in sociology of religion at Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado. They returned to Tacoma in 1954 where he was a sociology professor and department head, and then associate academic dean at the University of Puget Sound until his retirement in 1989. He was a member of many professional organizations and honor societies including Phi Kappa Phi and Pi Gamma Mu, and served on numerous boards and committees including the Pierce County American Red Cross, Pierce County Solid Waste Management, Planned Parenthood, Law Enforcement Education, Wesley Homes, the Tacoma General Hospital School of Nursing and the Southwest WA Chapter of the National MS Society.
Frank was an ordained United Methodist minister and member of the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference since 1954. He served a few years as associate pastor at First United Methodist Church in Tacoma during his 35-year appointment to UPS. The 60th anniversary of his ordination was celebrated in 2014 at Gig Harbor United Methodist Church where he was affiliated from 2011 to the present. He happily officiated for the weddings of many family members and former students. He and Kathleen graciously entertained countless family, faculty, students, church and community members in their home throughout their life together.
After retirement, his passions for serving others and his interests were evident. Together with his wife and, later, daughter Leann, Frank was a volunteer instructor for AARP driver safety classes beginning in 1990, later becoming the Washington State trainer for instructors from 1995 to 2010. He mentored several university and church interns. Conservation and the environment were key focuses — he was the king of recycling, saving and reusing! Woodworking, gardening, harvesting Gravenstein apples and making applesauce, reading, and coin and stamp collecting were his key recreational activities. He was a man of great integrity, honored and respected in the community, and deeply loved by his family where his wisdom and guidance will forever be remembered and cherished.
He is survived by daughters Leann (Richard) O’Neill and Carol (Peter) Pitman of Gig Harbor, Washington; grandchildren Elizabeth (Kenny) Hall of Sequim, Washington, and Peter Pitman Jr. and Brian Pitman, of Gig Harbor; brother-in-law Kenneth Weidkamp (Diane) of Beaverton, Oregon; and special extended family of nieces, nephews and cousins.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 18, in the Gig Harbor United Methodist Church at 7400 Pioneer Way, with a reception following.
Donations in his memory may be made to the “Frank and Kathleen Peterson Social Science Library Fund” at the University of Puget Sound, Office of Donor Relations, 1500 N. Warner St. #1011, Tacoma, WA 98416; or the Gig Harbor United Methodist Church, 7400 Pioneer Way, Gig Harbor, WA 98335.
Full obituary at www.edwardsmemorial.com.
“Well done, good and faithful servant.”
