Richard Eric Peterson was born in Ephraim, Utah on August 6, 1938 and passed away with family by his side in Eureka on October 14, 2026.

He moved from Utah to Humboldt County in 1963. Richard worked various jobs that required his mechanical abilities to work with heavy equipment such as the Samoa Pulp Mill, Operating Engineers, PALCO, Nolan Trucking and many, many others. His involvement with numerous organizations included the Fortuna Jaycees, Youth Football, Fortuna Boosters, American Legion, Ruth Lake Leasee Association, Carlotta Fire Dept and Fortuna Masonic Lodge.

He is survived by his wife Cheryl Peterson; brother Darryl Peterson (Darcy); son Ken Peterson (Lou Ann); daughter Vicky Ross; grandchildren Mavis Peterson, Sonya Calkins, Kendall Ross, Amanda Dubner, Chris Stuart, Derek Basteyns (Jesse), Josh Smith (Theresa), Kaylie Doebel, Shelby Hernandez, and Ella and Oliver Hart; great-grandchildren Roman, Emmett, Eoin, Athena, Kloey, James and Colton; and numerous other family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Janice Peterson; parents Eric and Ellen Peterson; son Scott Peterson; brothers- and sisters-in-law David and Francine Peterson, Douglass and Sue Peterson, and Donald and Debbie Peterson.

The family is asking in lieu of flowers to make donations to the American Cancer Society. There is a celebration of life planned on December 12, 2026 at 11 a.m. at the Fortuna Church of Latter Day Saints located at 1444 Ross Hill Rd, Fortuna.