Richard J. "Rich" Peterson

On June 7, 2026, Richard John Peterson, who loved helping people, passed away at age 87 in Grants Pass, OR.

“Rich” was born May 3, 1939 in Iowa City, IA to John and Dorothy (Ficken) Peterson. He graduated from Mason City High School in 1957. He began as an apprentice photoengraver for the Mason City Globe-Gazette and in 1960 became a photoengraver for the Rochester Post-Bulletin in Rochester, MN. He rose through the ranks to become production manager of the entire company by 1974, during which he oversaw the company’s conversion to digital technology. He went on to work or consult for several other newspapers in the US and around the world, then embarked on a series of entrepreneurial activities in Colorado.

On September 5, 1960 he married Yvonne Clair Surprenant. They raised two sons, Mark and Chris, and two daughters, Julie and Erica. They were divorced in 1997.

A serious bout with alcoholism led to the collapse of his businesses and his marriage. After treatment, he moved to Grant’s Pass, OR. After two years as a Wal-Mart manager, he became a licensed drug and alcohol rehabilitation counselor. He worked for ADAPT Behavioral Health, and also for the Bear Group as a counselor in the Men’s Alternative to Violence program. He volunteered as a counselor for suicide survivors with Winterspring in Medford, OR. He retired from counseling in 2010.

Rich loved woodworking and landscaping, and especially working on his homes. He was an enthusiastic outdoorsman, and enjoyed traveling, especially to visit his family. He was an avid photographer.

Rich is survived by his five children, Mary Trace, Mark, Julie Papini, Chris, and Erica White, his sisters Beverly Adkins and Linda Angell, his brother Leslie Peterson, ten grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, two nieces, and a nephew. A funeral service will be held on July 11 at St. Anne’s Church on 1131 NE Tenth St, Grants Pass, OR 97526 at 10:00 am.

Memorial Gifts may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital www.stjude.org 

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