Frank N Peterson

Frank Newell Peterson Frank was born on July 16, 1927 in Bellingham, WA 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, WA. 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 the life-long connection with the University. Together with his wife, two sisters, two daughters and seven nieces and nephews, 13 of Franks family members from two generations have attended UPS. Frank passed away on February 27, 2017 in Tacoma, WA where he lived since 1954 with his beloved wife of over 60 years, Kathleen Weidkamp Peterson, who predeceased him in 2011. He was also predeceased by his sisters, Mary Ellen Peterson Lentz in 2012, and Nelda Claire Peterson Sigurdson in 2013. He received his BA from the College of Puget Sound in 1950, majoring in Philosophy with a minor in Psychology. In his undergraduate years, he had a reputation as being the best at clever pranks. His greatest endeavor was switching all the room doors from one floor to another! After marrying Kathleen on December 16, 1950 in Lynden WA, he went on to graduate study at Iliff School of Theology in Denver CO where he earned Th.M. and Th.D. degrees in Sociology of Religion in 1953 and 1960, respectively, with a dissertation on Socio-economic Agricultural Practices in Churches in the High Plains Region. They returned to Tacoma in 1954 where he joined the University of Puget Sound as a faculty member in the Sociology Department, serving twice as Sociology Chair from 1955-1968 and from 1972-1975. During the latter period, Frank initiated the sociology departments thesis requirement, several years before the Honors Program began requiring theses of honors students. He was later involved in the creation of the Honors Program which exists to the day. He was instrumental in establishing and continuing the Law Enforcement Education Program and served on the advisory committee for the Public School Nurses Consortium in connection with the Tacoma General Hospital School of Nursing. Frank was honored to serve as Regester Lecturer in 1972, addressing demography and ecology in a talk entitled Society in Search of Survival, following a rare sabbatical leave in that year. His academic honors included membership in the honorary societies of Pi Gamma Mu, Mu Sigma Delta, Phi Kappa Delta, and Phi Kappa Phi. He was named to Whos Who Among American Men of Science in 1969, and was professionally active in the American Sociological Association, Pacific Sociological Association and the American Association of University Professors. Frank was very interested in retention and attrition of students, a project he pursued from 1959-1965 with support of two grants. His publications included book reviews (one of the work of a 1961 Brown and Haley lecturer) and papers on a downtown church, population growth and family development, medical services and demographic changes, student retention and drop-outs, and the cultural shock of leisure. In 1962, he was a Danforth Foundation Associate, receiving a Hill Foundation Grant for research on student retention and dropout. Frank Petersons service to the university was prodigious: standing committees, twice elected to Faculty Senate, secretary and assistant secretary of the faculty, presidential search committee, faculty marshal for graduation ceremonies, Honors Program and Environmental Studies Program committees, advisor to the Intercollegiate Knights and Mortar Board, Long Range Planning Commission, Presidential Search and Advisory Committees, Library Committee, Academic Standards, and Continuing Education Committees. An even longer list evidences his substantial and ongoing service to the community on boards and committees: Executive Board of the Tacoma-Pierce County chapter of the American Red Cross, Law Enforcement Education Program, the Mayors Citizens Committee for Civic Improvement, the National Council on Crime and Delinquency, Citizens Committee for Good Government, the Mayors Citizens Committee for Civic Improvements, Pierce County Commission on Drug Abuse and the Pierce County Design for Progress, Pierce County Solid Waste Management, Planned Parenthood, Law Enforcement Education Program, the Tacoma General Hospital School of Nursing, the Southwest WA Chapter of the National MS Society, Wesley Homes, and Nantucket West Condo Association. During 1975-1976 Dr. Peterson, along with Religion professor Darrell Reeck, served as assistant dean under Thomas Davis. When Darrell left the position after that year and historian Wolfred (Shady) Bauer replaced him, both Shady and Frank were henceforth called Associate Deans. Thus, Frank contributed fourteen years of service in the Deans Office from 1975 until his retirement in 1989. One of his many responsibilities was to make determinations about school closures in the event of inclement weather, necessitating middle of the night driving trips to ascertain decreased safety issues. Frank was charged with bringing institutional research to the campus and nurturing it as a new administrative function. He supervised the office of the registrar and academic advising and was director of summer session and graduate programs. Frank is credited as well (among other examples) with moving the Registrars office in partnership with John Finney to smooth functioning, organizing the graduate program, addressing the challenges of closing programs with efficacy, effectively coordinating accreditation, and always conducting graduation ceremonies to smooth conclusion. Dean emeritus Tom Davis noted in correspondence of that era that Frank was a Code and Regulations expert, a trouble shooter, and a man to lean on. President emeritus Philip Phibbs credits him in a letter of affirmation with nursing a sick child [summer session] to vigorous health in 1982. The record suggests that Frank was repeatedly good at managing such things creating health when needed, implementing difficult decisions, and always maintaining strong qualities of friendship and colleagueship. John Finney notes, Franks hobby was stamp collecting. For years, the admissions staff passed on to him all of the envelopes from received mail so he could soak the stamps off for his collection. Occasionally Frank would find checks in the envelopes. I guess thats why the admissions staff were so nice to him, because he saved their bacon every once in a while. In 1984, Dr. Peterson was the first person to receive a staff award for 30 years of service to UPS, and a Sunburst locust tree was planted on campus in his honor which remains today in the area behind Todd Hall, and designated by a plaque. In Franks own words: This was a rewarding career. Special things during these years included: * Working with wonderful and challenging groups of students * Significant involvement in the professional life of the University --- becoming a full professor, serving on numerous faculty and university committees, elected to Faculty Senate, teaching in the School of Nursing at Tacoma General Hospital, serving as advisor to several student groups, conducting extensive research on student retention, being appointed Associate Academic Dean and Dean of the Graduate School in 1975, serving in that capacity until retirement, selection by faculty to give the 1972 Regester Lecture named in honor of a former dean of the university in recognition of teaching and scholarly achievement * Involved in the work of the United Methodist Church --- served as Associate Pastor of First UMC Tacoma, Board of Ministry of the Pacific NW Annual Conference, National Board of the Town and Country Commission, member of Wesley Homes Board in Des Moines WA * Involved in many community groups including American Red Cross, Planned Parenthood, and Tacoma Solid Waste Disposal Committee. I learned more than I really wanted to know about landfills but as a result of the long-term work, Tacoma became a leader in recycling and other environmental programs. In addition, I gave an average of two or three speeches per month since coming to the university to various service clubs, professional groups, and churches Retirement has been occupied primarily with family and has also included travel to Alaska, Hawaii, and various sections of the United States and Canada. Kathleen and I enjoyed our separate interests and our common endeavors. It has been a full and meaningful life for which we are most thankful. Frank was an ordained United Methodist Minister and member since 1954 of the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference Conference and the Board of Ministry of the United Methodist Church where he held membership on the National Interagency Committee on Research. He served a few years as Associate Pastor at First United Methodist Church, Tacoma, WA 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 1995-2010. He mentored for 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) ONeill and Carol (Peter) Pitman of Gig Harbor, WA; grandchildren Elizabeth (Kenny) Hall of Sequim, WA, and Peter Pitman, Jr. and Brian Pitman, of Gig Harbor, WA; brother-in-law Kenneth Weidkamp (Diane) of Beaverton, OR; and special extended family of nieces, nephews, and cousins. A memorial service will be held on March 18, 2017 at 11:00 AM at the Gig Harbor United Methodist Church at 7400 Pioneer Way, Gig Harbor, 98335 with 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. Special Family Thoughts of a Devoted Father, Grandfather, Family Member, Teacher, Friend As a father and father-in-law, the memories and teachings are numerous: His patience, fairness and wisdom Could solve any problem and fix anything His wonderful sense of humor; When his physician asked if Dad had any pain and he said, while pointing at Leann and me, No.except for these two!! Kind, forthright, fair, intelligent, insightful, and dignified, and will always be in my heart, and a part of everything I do. A man of great ingenuity, integrity, and incomparable love. He never complained and could always find the good in people and situations Led by example in quiet, gentle ways, never raising his voice, but choosing his words carefully so they would have the greatest impact Heart for giving that was matched by his character in living Tenacious and strong, yet gentle and kind; taught by example and learned by observation We pray that we can honor our Dad in all we do and say for the rest of our lives. Not punishing us when we were little girls but would say very seriously how disappointed he was with whatever behavior needed correcting; we were crushed, and that was enough to make us behave! Playing Pinochle (guys vs. girls) Teaching me how to use the wood lathe Helping me make a wooden rocking horse Teaching me how to fish for salmon in Puget Sound How he always stuck out his tongue when he measured something! Got a kick out of watching him very carefully and meticulously open presents, being careful to save and fold up the wrapping paper Saved everything, usually disassembling and saving all the pieces for some use in the future Always abided by the Clean Plate Club at mealtime Unique ideas and uses of items to make things that were not anything like what they were originally used for Always keenly interested in the different things in my life that I dont think he would have known much about if not for my interest. Likewise, I learned from him about ecology and conservation Although I was completely different from anyone else he knew, he graciously accepted me into his family and I will always love him for that The pride he had in his vegetable and berry garden. Everything was minutely and lovingly cared for in very precise order. As a Grandfather, he gave us lots of special things to cherish: Dollar size pancakes when I would spend the night Always said I was his favorite granddaughter Let us go in the garden and eat peas straight from the pods Grandpas pizza and applesauce are the only ones I like!!! Using the money they gave towards college to get my teaching degree and following down the teacher path! I will be forever grateful for the financial support, interest, and encouragement I received from both of my grandparents for my education. They instilled in me a desire to learn and do my best. I loved sharing my progress and success with them every quarter as I earned my BA in Education. I feel like I honor Grandpa and Grandma every day when I walk into my classroom and carry on the family legacy of teaching. Him playing with our dog at Christmas and laughing hysterically Grandpa would never take sides when I would tease my wife; he would just shrug and smile! Sharing the Seahawks with Grandpa and talking football. Great fun to give him our picture of when we got to see the Superbowl Trophy. Loved our time with him on Christmas Eve 2016 watching the Seahawks. We joked and laughed, told stories, and just enjoyed being together Going fishing with grandpa and dad on our old boat when I was a little boy. Playing pinochle after Christmas dinner and grandpa was always my partner. Grandpa always loved the fresh salmon we caught even after he stopped fishing, especially the way my dad cooked it. It was probably his favorite thing to eat when he would visit our house. Maybe it was because Grandma never cooked it, so he always ate extra at our house! He always made the best apple dumplings! Grandma always had the urge to try new and at times "interesting" things, but Grandpa's apple dumplings were always my favorite! Going to the apple orchard with him to pick apples from his adopted tree. When we arrived, he insisted that we collect every windfall we could before we would take from his tree. Many times we filled up all of the buckets and boxes with other people's apples. He never wanted anything to go to waste. At the beginning of summer each year he would always ask us to help clean the overgrowth from on the other side of his fence. One year after we finished we went up into the attic to bring down his coin collection. I had asked several times about seeing it, and this time was special because he finally went through everything with me. Thoughts from other family members: One of the finest men I've ever met in my life. Always supportive, always interested in what I was doing, respectful, caring, thoughtful, insightful, not judgmental and kind. He impacted so many lives in a positive way during his life whether it was as a son, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, minister, professor, dean of students, advisor, driver education teacher, etc. The list goes on and on. His was a life well lived! Frank will certainly be missed by all. He meant and did a lot for all of us. He had a great life and impacted many lives positively! Gone now but certainly never to be forgotten. Frank was a wonderful uncle and such a mentor to all of us! My fondest memories are over working on stamps with him! Forever be thankful to have known him as an Uncle and friend. He was the wisest and most principled man I have ever known, and a role model I could never replace. I loved dropping by his Jones Hall office in the afternoons to say hello. He would always flash a big smile and have time for a chat no matter what problem he was working on. I cherish the time we spent together working on stamp collecting and so glad part of his collection is with me. My favorite uncle is now in a better place reunited with his wife, family, and good friends. Your father is most likely sitting at the left hand of God today, giving the Almighty a piece of his mind as to why he was made to suffer through three broken hips and memory loss! Uncle Frank was a model for all of us, and such an important part of our family. I crack up how Mom, Nelda and Frank mailed letters, comics and newspaper articles back and forth - especially the comic strips. Thoughts from Students, Colleagues, and Friends: Without your dad's guidance, our son would never have graduated from UPS and he would be the first one to admit that. A wonderful, kind and compassionate man. I will always remember him as kind, gentle, intelligent --- a man who was fiercely in love with his family. Obviously a highly-respected man of God. He lived a full and productive life and we enjoyed knowing both him and your mom. Frank was one of my favorite people to interact with at UPS. I will miss him a lot as Im sure your entire family will miss this wonderful father, grandfather, and friend. Your dad was so special to me as an instructor, mentor and friend. He and your mother also cared for our daughter when she was at UPS in the early 1990s, and we have enjoyed and appreciated your folks in all the years since then! His passing marks the end of an era for me particularly. There was no one else with his humor and insight and kindness. Ill miss him, as I miss your mother. The words written here tell the details of Franks life, but he was so much more to those who knew and loved him servant of God; devoted husband, father, grandfather, special family member, teacher; trusted friend and colleague. He was kind, forthright, fair, intelligent, insightful, dignified; a gentle man, and the consummate gentleman. Though his final years were filled with the disappointments of a failing mind and body, he never complained and never gave up. May we all be inspired by his life, and honor him by following his example of a lifetime of loving and serving others. Well done, good and faithful servant.