These pages last updated March 2, 2010
Roger Peterson Dies at 79
October 19th, 1923 - September 30th, 2003
From his obituary in the Herald Times and other sources we learned that Roger died early Tuesday morning, September 30th, 2003 at the Bloomington Hospital. Born Oct. 19, 1923 in Chicago, he was the son of Arthur J. and Laura (Jordan) Peterson, and a steel salesman for Central Steel & Wire Co.
A widely noted archivist, a researcher in the ethnic history of Owen County, and Owen County Historian, he was also a member of the Owen County Historical and Genealogical Society, the Indiana Historical Society, and a board member of the Society of Indiana Archivists. He was a US Navy Veteran and a member of Faith Lutheran Church. He was an avid user of the Monroe County Library recordings, a strong supporter of Indianapolis Symphony and Opera, the Indiana University School of Music Opera, the Symphony, and the IU Baroque Orchestra of Stanley Ritchie.
Survivors include his wife, Jean Schneider Peterson, three sons Clifford James of Bloomington, Indiana, Raymond of Middletown, Ohio, Ken of Upland, California, one daughter Carole Deroo of Kansas City, Missouri and six grand children. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother. Services were at the Faith Lutheran Church on the east side of Bloomington, Pastor Lawrence Mitchell officiating. He was buried in Chambersville Cemetery with the Veterans Honor Guard performing military rites and giving three volleys of rifle fire. The flag was presented to the widow, Jean and the collected brass cartridges passed to close individuals. His service to the Archives and the Society will be deeply missed.
Roger Peterson was instrumental and a driving force in the creation and maintenance of the Owen County archives. Were it not for him, the records we currently hold would have disappeared long ago.
