"I watched Mr. Petersen pitch many baseball games for the Muscatine Red Sox. I always wanted to be the pitcher Dick was for the Red Sox. He was a wonderful man. I did not have Dick as a teacher but, I had his wife when she was still Miss Armstrong. She was also a wonderful person."
In loving memory of
Richard 'Dick' Petersen
July 1, 1933 - September 5, 2020
RICHARD K. PETERSEN
MUSCATINE, Iowa - Richard K. 'Dick' Petersen, 87, of Muscatine, passed away on Saturday, September 5, 2020, at his home.
Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 11, 2020, at St. Mathias Church. The Reverend Hai Dinh will officiate. Burial will take place in St. Mary's Cemetery. The Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Visitation will be from 9 until 10 a.m. on Friday, September 11, 2020, at the church. Memorials may be made to St. Mary's Cemetery Association. Online Condolences: www.wittichfuneralhome.com.
Dick was born on July 1, 1933, in Muscatine, the son of Alfred and Mae Unkel Petersen. He married Gail Armstrong on June 10, 1961 in Muscatine.
He was a history teacher at West Middle School for 32 years. He also coached basketball.
Dick was a veteran of the United States Army, serving in the Korean War. He was a standing member of the NAPP and the Table of Knowledge.
He is survived by his wife, Gail Petersen of Muscatine; and many nieces and nephews.
Dick is preceded in death by his parents; and his half siblings, Earl Petersen and Celestia Peters.
The family of Dick Petersen would like to give a special thank you to the Table of Knowledge.
Tributes
"Have many great memories of Mr. Petersen telling stories at NAPP get-togethers and beyond. He was a wonderful man and will truly be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to Gail and family."
"Our deepest sympathy to Mrs.Petersen and her family . I will always remember Mr. and Mrs. Petersen for giving me confidence to do things I would not have thought possible. 'Coach' Petersen on the basketball court and Miss Armstrong in speech class. Two very very special people. Mrs. Petersen, thank you so much , and coach Petersen,"Pete",rip. "
" Another hand of "Ring-Around the Rosy Criss-Cross" is not to be. All who "cut-the-deck" with you cherished your life and camaraderie and memories. You played the game with quiet respect from a ?thumbs-up? curve ball like a true champion. Note 1/ ?Self Praise? not needed, the One Great Scorer will pass you through the golden gates along with the very best. Deal me in later, Bill Molis Note 1/ Dick won 83 games for George Long & the Red Sox "
"Gail: I?m so sorry for your loss of Dick (Mr. Petersen). He was one of my favorite teachers in school. Loved visiting with you both When my in-laws (Jerry and Marilyn) would stop over! They and I will miss him greatly. "
"Mr. Petersen was a great teacher and coach. But a great friend. He was my stand in Dad for a trip to St. Louis to see the Cubs when my own Dad had health issues. We had a great time with Harvey Allbee and his family on that trip. I will be forever grateful he helped out. My sympathy to the Petersen family. God Bless! Chuck Boulund"
"I think it was Dick's first year teaching at the old junior high school on Iowa Avenue when I had him for a teacher and coach. I have great respect for him, will always remember him, and the world needs more people like him."
"I had Mr Petersen as a teacher & coach, and always enjoyed running onto him later in life. He made going to school enjoyable and fun. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family."
"I always loved talking with Uncle Dick. Thinking of you and love you, Aunt Gail. "
"Dick was the first fellow teacher I met when arriving in Muscatine in 1977. We became friends and spent time together golfing and meeting for coffee. Dick and Gail were good friends with my in-laws, Bill and Mary Ann Sturms. Dick was always witty and ready with a keen insight into many topics! We'll miss him. "
"Rest in peace Mr. Petersen. He was a great teacher and coach. "
"I remember Mr. Peterson as a teacher. A very nice man. My condolences to Mrs. Petersen and his family. Neomia Jackson Malcolm"
"He made History one of my favorite subjects at West and was a great teacher."
"He was an AMAZING coach and mentor. Joy and jubilation on your going to your forever Home. Thank you for so many life lessons. Tom Riggs"
"I have such happy memories of 'poker gang' get togethers. Gail, my deepest sympathy to you and your family. Susan Molis Reiman"
"Mr Petersen was my favorite teacher at West. To this day, I love and enjoy reading history, and give Mr Petersen credit for that interest and enthusiasm. My sympathy to the family at this difficult time on the loss of a fine man. "
"I remember delivering the times democrat paper back in the late sixties and early seventies to Petersen residence, Dick was very nice person. Gail so sorry for your loss."
"Mr. Petersen was my teacher and my coach. He was excellent at both and demanded that same excellence from us. He instilled in me a love for history as well as a drive to be my best in life. I will always be grateful for that. May the God of mercy grant you peace, knowing that heaven gained a beautiful soul."
"I grew up a couple of blocks from Dick and have known him for over 70 years.He was a good friend of my uncle Gary Ramseyer who lived a block from Dick. Deepest Sympathy Jack Wilson"
"I had Mr. Petersen as both a teacher and coach at West Junior High...he was very student oriented and a great teacher. My sympathy to his family. Bob Allbee "
"Wonderful teacher! Many memories of Mr Petersen! He was great friends with my father-in-law Bill Sturms! We had free throw contests in the gym after school. I would bring him watermelons from my uncles farm! Rest In Peace! Deepest sympathy for family!"
"May the promise of eternal life grant you comfort and peace, Gail.
Our sympathy--Dyann & Dave Roby"