Obituary of R. Peterson R. Gordon Peterson, 90, of Jamestown, passed away Saturday (April 7, 2018) in the Lutheran Home. A lifelong area resident, he was born October 24, 1927 in Jamestown, the son of the late Ralph A. and Mabel C. Bates Peterson. He was preceded in death by his wife Eleanor J. Anderson Peterson whom he married August 30, 1950 in Falconer United Methodist Church, and who died January 19, 2008.
Gordon was valedictorian of the 1945 class of Falconer High School and was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving during WWII from 1946 to 1948 in Japan. After serving in the Armed Forces he received his Bachelor’s degree in Ceramic Engineering from Alfred University. In the early 1950’s he was employed by Pittsburgh Plate and Glass, in Creighton, PA.
Moving back to Jamestown in 1953, he was employed for many years by Blackstone Corporation (later Valeo) where he was instrumental in founding and managing the Blackstone Flux Division. He continued as manager after it was sold to Kester Solder, a division of Litton Industries. He retired in 1992, but continued as a consultant for a number of years.
He was a life member of the National Wire Association, and for many years volunteered as a lay supporter of Wycliffe Bible Translators. Over the years Gordon and Eleanor were active in several different area churches, but in recent years he has been a member of the Frewsburg Christian and Missionary Alliance Church. Gordon loved flying and travel and had a chance to do much of both in his work, visiting the Far East several times.
He also visited his daughter and her family in Africa five times. He was an avid hiker and received the End-to-End Crest for the 435-mile Bruce Trail in Ontario. After retirement, up until 2016 he walked countless miles around the south side of Jamestown and became acquainted with many of the residents along his walking routes.
He also spent a lot of time visiting shut-ins in the hospital and nursing homes. Besides his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Roger A. Peterson, Sr., and one nephew. Surviving are his son Robert A. (Patricia) Peterson of Kennedy; his daughter Karen (Roger) Van Otterloo of Wycliffe Bible Translators, currently living in Dallas, TX; seven grandchildren: Jeffrey Peterson, Wendy (Joe) Mitchell, John (Bridget) Van Otterloo, Nathan (Ashley) Van Otterloo, Matthew (Rebecca) Van Otterloo, Daniel (Joelle) Van Otterloo and Isaac (Erin) Van Otterloo; eleven great grandchildren: Nathan Mitchell, and Esther, Naomi, Eva, Maia, Isaiah, Eben, Micah, Hudson, Hope and Lucas Van Otterloo.
Also surviving are two nieces and two nephews, as well as many grandnieces and grandnephews. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday, April 16, 2018 in the Falconer Funeral Home. Rev.
Marc Samworth and John Barber will officiate. Burial will be in Lake View Cemetery. Friends will be received from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 15, 2018 in the funeral home and one hour prior to the funeral service Monday in the funeral home.
Memorial gifts may be given to Wycliffe Bible Translators, P.O. Box 628200, Orlando, FL 32862-8200 or Frewsburg Alliance Church, 60 Falconer St., Frewsburg, NY 14738.
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