Reno, NV – Surrounded by his family on May 25, 2018, we lost our loving husband, beloved father, grandfather, and friend, Gerald W. Peterson Jr. Gerald was born Aug. 19th, 1939, in Salt Lake City, UT. He was greeted into heaven by his parents, Gerald W. Peterson Sr. and Rosalind Faye Peterson on May 25th, 2018.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Connie L. Peterson, beloved siblings, adoring children, and precious grandchildren. He has been reunited with his father, mother, siblings, and… Read More » many additional loved ones who went before him into paradise. Gerald was a loving father, and devoted grandfather who enjoyed being surrounded by his extensive family and friends.
Gerald’s early life was punctuated by his very active personality. He was a very active child who enjoyed many activities such as hunting, trapping, fighting wildfires, fishing, running track, dancing, and playing basketball. He grew up in both Idaho and Utah.
He loved his family, medicine, the outdoors, and all his many beloved pets. He had a real soft spot for animals. He also received special recognition for his beautiful penmanship; which he maintained throughout his life.
In later years, Gerald graduated from North Cache High School in 1957. Shortly after graduation, he enlisted into the United States Army, Nuclear Weapons Training Branch and attended Basic Army Military Training in Pueblo, CO. He was a sharp-shooter in the Army, and proceeded on to graduate from Glendale Junior College with his Associates of arts in 1962.
In 1966, he graduated Cum Laude, with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Utah. Using his keen intellect, Gerald received his Doctorate of Osteopathy in 1970 from Des Moines University, College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery. He finished 3rd out of 123 students in his class, proudly gaining his D.O. Gerald was the first Osteopathic physician to be recognized and awarded hospital privileges in the state of Utah.
A privilege he fought for, and paved the way, for future doctors of Osteopathy to come. In 1970, Gerald was promoted to Captain of the United States Army, Medical Corps. He became an Anesthesiologist and was the Chief of Clinics located in White Sands Missile Range, NM.
During this time he completed his surgical internship and a preceptorship in Anesthesia; both obtained from William Beaumont General Hospital. Dr. Gerald W. Peterson’s medical appointments include: • President of the Utah Osteopathic Association • Staff, Utah Valley Hospital; Department of Family Medicine • Chief of medical staff, Golden Valley County Hospital • Chief of medical staff, Nye Regional Medical Center • Vice President, Utah Osteopathic Medical Association • Utah Board of Examiners of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons • Director, Department of Obstetrics and Director of Extended Care Facility, and Chief of Physical Medicine at Nye Regional Medical Center • President of the American Osteopathic Academy of Sclerotherapy • President and Vice President of the Nevada Homeopathic Medical Board • Medical Acupuncture at UCLA; which he performed in his medical practice throughout the remainder of his life. Despite his accomplishments during his life, they never came easy.
He cared for an untenable amount of patient’s; delivering over a thousand babies and performing many other surgical procedures during his tenure. He was a devoted physician for many nursing homes in Utah; taking kind care of the elderly. Gerald was extremely passionate about Homeopathic medicine and the advancement of alternative medicine in particular.
However, during the height of his career, many opposed alternative concepts. This opposition never weakened his mission. His devotion was always to aid and heal the sick.
He was one of the few holistic pioneers of his day. During his last years of life, he received admirable recognition for his unwavering endeavors of the alternative world of medicine. Gerald had an undeniable work ethic.
His work-ethic, dedication, and caring nature have been carried down to his children, many of whom also work in healthcare. Although he was committed to medicine, he was without a doubt committed to providing for his family first and foremost. He worked willing, long, hard hours every day to provide the very best for them.
Anyone who knew him knew that this was his top priority. He loved his family very much. Gerald, in is free time, fancied himself a real cowboy and farmer.
He loved God, and possessed a great ability for forgiveness, love, and gratitude. He was a giver, a forgiver, and a compassionate man. He loved the desert and open spaces.
He loved planes, automobiles and regretted not keeping his cool 1959 Dodge. A.K.A the one that got away. Gerald was an avid pilot; he owned a Cessna, and was a Ham Radio Enthusiast.
He frequently took trips in his plane to many locations with family and friends. He thoroughly enjoyed connecting with others all around the world over his ham radio. He enjoyed constructing model airplanes with real gas engines that he built from scratch.
He loved life’s mysteries and studying the mysteries of the world. He had a truly cute sense of humor, was an avid learner, reader, and always maintained an open mind. He enjoyed his professional relationships with fellow colleagues who would frequently bounce ideas off each other in order to help their patients.
He had blue twinkly eyes, that seemed all knowing, and a great easy smile. He will be sorely missed, loved, and remembered by all his family and friends. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation for the wonderful care their husband and father received from Renown Regional Medical Center, Life Care Center of Reno, Dr. Michael Song, Dr. David Julian, RN Valentryna, and CNA Maria.
Your outstanding care, kindness, patience, and love during his transition to heaven will never be forgotten. Thank you to his children, family members, friends, Dr. Bruce Fong, Dr. Christopher Husser, and Dr. Joseph Stevenson for loving him, and supporting him in his final days. He loved every one of you.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
