David A Peterson

We are saddened to announce the death of David A. Peterson, 78, of Champaign, Illinois. David passed on August 15, 2018 after a years long battle with COPD. An educator, entrepreneur, and a dear friend to all he met, David always put others before himself.

Born on September 25, 1939 in Wadena, Minnesota, David was the eldest of 5 born to Eudora and Marion Peterson. David’s siblings, Brian and Kim of Seattle, Washington, Linda Eggers of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Kris Bailey of Glenwood, Minnesota all survive. In 1958, he married Sharon Lee McKay of Alexandria, Minnesota and then pursued a career in vocational education. David taught in northern Michigan, and worked under a National Science Foundation grant in Houston and at the University of Illinois before eventually being part of the early faculty at Parkland Community College; where he taught from 1969 to 1979 and then from 1983-1985.

In business, he utilized his technical expertise to lead the technology support group of American Quotations Systems in the early 1980’s and then was the CEO and led the IPO of Cerion Technologies/ Nashua Precision Technologies through the 1990’s. David also founded DP Skunkworks, a start-up incubator, during his retirement years, concentrating on technology and vocational training.

David was always willing to lend a helping hand in the community. He worked closely with Developmental Services Center and also provided help and guidance to people recovering from substance abuse. David served as the President of his condo association board until early 2018. David is donating organs and tissue to Gift of Hope.

The love of David’s life was his family. Father to Erik of St. Louis, Missouri and Adam of Beverly Shores, Indiana, his teaching schedule allowed him to coach baseball, teach about hunting, fishing, and woodworking. He was a master craftsman, carving display-quality duck decoys, refurbishing an antique Chris-Craft boat, and building all kinds of beautiful furniture for his home. Summers spent in west central Minnesota let David act as a summer camp counselor running water-ski, camping, fishing, and croquet events, along with all other sorts of mischief for his boys and their 10 cousins. There were known to have been a number of late night snipe hunts, too. He and his bride celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on August 9.

Their Iron Post group will miss him. David is survived by his wife, sons, and 5 grandchildren: Kelsey Peterson, 24 of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Daniel Peterson, 21 of Champaign, Illinois, Suzanne Peterson, 21 of Champaign, Illinois, Samuel Peterson, 21 of St. Louis, Missouri and Kirsten Peterson, 17 of St. Louis, Missouri.

In memoriam gifts can be made to the ACLU Immigrant Services Fund.

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