Charles 'Chuck' Peterson

Charles 'Chuck' C. Peterson, 76, the son of Evart and Birdlyn (Fulton) Peterson, was born in Cherokee, IA, on December 11, 1935. He spent his childhood years in Cherokee, where he graduated from Washington High School in 1954. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Administration from Iowa State University in 1958, served in the ROTC program, and graduated as a Second Lieutenant. Chuck went to work for Banker's Life Insurance Company in Des Moines, IA, for two years before going back to college to pursue a master's degree in Hospital Administration from the University of Iowa. In 1962, he moved to Riverside, CA, where he accepted a position as Assistant Business Manager, and eventually Business Manager with the Riverside Medical Clinic. On July 3, 1964, he was united in marriage to Charis Gortner in Riverside, CA. They were blessed with two children. Following his retirement from the Riverside Medical Clinic in 1975, Chuck began the next chapter of his working career being self-employed. He was a broker of wine and brought in specialty wines from all over the world to the State of Iowa. In addition, he established his own real-estate brokerage business, Fundamental Research, dealing with mergers and acquisitions. In 1977, Chuck and family chose to return to Cherokee to be closer to family and raise their children in a great community. Chuck loved sharing his passion for nature and animals, whether it was hunting, fishing, or gardening. He was an avid reader, walker, and cherished the times spent vacationing with family on trips including Lake Okoboji. He also enjoyed researching companies and investing in the stock market while managing his own portfolio. He served as president of the Board of Trustees and Elder at Memorial Presbyterian Church and was secretary/treasurer of Rotary for more than 20 years. On Tuesday, May 8, 2012, Chuck passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Evart and Birdlyn Peterson, one brother, Evart "Tony" Peterson, and one brother-in-law, Nevin Gortner. He is survived by his wife, Charis, of Cherokee; his daughter Betsy and her husband, Chuck Wright and their children Harrison and Will of Cincinnati, OH; his son, Tony Peterson and his wife, Heather of Portland, OR; one niece, Martha Parry of Waverly, IA; one nephew, Dave Peterson of Brisbane, Australia; two brothers-in-law, David and his wife Lennie Gortner of Silverton, OR, and Tim and his wife, Patti Gortner of Clive, IA; as well as many relatives and friends.

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