Daniel Willett Peterson

Despite being a self-described 'young Swedish boy', and a 'spring chicken' Daniel Willett Peterson, 76, died on April 4, 2023 after several lung cancer-related strokes. Dan grew up in Wisconsin, the oldest child of Irving and Mannette Peterson. He walked to school uphill both ways in driving snow, after which he would warm up with a hot bowl of oxtail soup or liver and onions. After attending the University of Wisconsin for a couple of years, he transferred to Colorado State University and eventually (between parties) earned a BS degree in Wildlife Biology.

Several years later he met Marsha, a fellow mid-westerner. They wed in 1978 and later had 2 girls. Dan worked for several local pipeline construction companies before becoming an Inspector in the Engineering Department of the City of Fort Collins. He also earned his teaching certificate in biology, as he had always enjoyed teaching young people, and subbed in junior high and high schools. He retired from the city with enthusiasm and kept busy with an array of hobbies.

As true life-long learner, Dan became fluent in Spanish, traveling many times to non-touristy areas of Mexico, Belize, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Guatemala and Peru. He and Marsha even lived in Costa Rica for several months exploring the natural wonders, enjoying the food and interacting with the locals.

His sanctuary for many years was the in the basement where he developed his own film, played around on his computer, looked at hidden life under the microscope, conducted kid-friendly chemistry experiments and where he kept fascinating artifacts of all kinds. At various points in his life, he took up skiing, ice skating, fishing and fly tying, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, camping, painting, photography, and wood carving. Bird watching was one of his favorite ways to relax in nature and he always kept a pair of binoculars in the car just in case. By bringing his young daughters along on outdoor adventures, letting them catch and keep snakes, turtles, frogs and fish, he passed on a fascination with animals and respect for the natural world.

Another long-time passion was music. Dan was a self-taught guitar player for decades before joining a local guitar circle, but here he was introduced to new genres, artists, equipment and techniques. Within the circle, he honed his musical skills and forged strong friendships. With these friends he played small gigs around northern Colorado, figured out the technology to record his own CDs, and he and Marsha hosted an annual backyard 'Guitar-B-Q'. He enjoyed some Spanish genres, blues, old country and western, classic rock and folk.

Dan meticulously organized and labeled everything, and reused objects, giving them a new purpose. Lists were to be written on a piece of paper "folded neatly in half". If you ever needed to borrow something, he knew right where it was. This will be particularly helpful for when we go through his things – thanks, dad!

He is preceded in death by his mother, father and sister, Marilyn. He is survived by another sister, Alexis Peterson of Milwaukee, WI, Marsha, his wife of 45yrs, daughter Laura (Aaron Novacek), and grandson, Everest, of Fort Collins, CO and daughter Cassie (Jeff Wright) and grandson, Wilder, of Boise, ID, and a grouchy old dog, Ernie. Dan's array of interests and the focus to pursue them was truly admirable and enviable. There are many things that Dan taught his daughters. Among them: work ethic, integrity, and self-reliance. They will be passed on to his grandsons, as well as his many sayings, made up words and mixed-up nursery rhymes.

According to Dan's wishes, no funeral services will be held, and his ashes will be scattered in a favorite place. Feel welcome to share your memories of Dan here, and in lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in his name to the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program at rmrp.org/donate/. Dan wasn't a religious man, so don't wait to see him in heaven. Instead, find him here on Earth: in the glimmer of a mountain stream, in the song of a meadowlark, or in wind moving through the trees.