Michael E. Peterson's Obituary
Michael Eldon Peterson of Rehoboth Beach, DE passed away on Saturday, September 3, 2016 at home, with his husband at his side. He was born on August 11, 1951 in Riverside, California, son of the late Eldon Peterson and Ethel (Stenberg) Peterson.
Mike was born into a family that stressed the importance of education to him and his siblings. This emphasis on education had an impact on Mike. With that as a backdrop, Mike pursued his education through hard work to pay for tuition and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in political science from the University of Idaho. Determined not to stop there, over the years, and with additional hard work, Mike earned a Masters’ degree in Management with a concentration in Human Resource Development from the National College of Education, National Louis University in Evanston, Illinois. After receiving his undergraduate degree, Mike held various positions with the state government in Idaho.
In 1978, Mike relocated from Boise, Idaho to Washington, D. C. where he met his life partner, Chris M. Fisher and had a successful thirty-year career with the Federal Government. He retired in 2007 as Director of Human Resources, Office of the Inspector General, Department of Defense. After retirement, Mike and Chris moved into a home they built in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. They were officially married in the state of Delaware on October 11, 2013.
Mike and Chris spent 37 God-given, beautiful, fun-filled years together traveling and enjoying times with families and friends. While their travels took them to many exciting places in the world, one trip that Mike enjoyed greatly was a trip across the United States on the old Route 66. Mike, a “Jeep Man,” and a long-time Route 66 enthusiast, convinced Chris to travel to Chicago to begin the long and enjoyable Route 66 cross-country journey. If the topic of Route 66 ever came up in conversation with Mike, a smile would come to his face, and he would share with you interesting facts and stories about the old road.
Mike also developed an avid interest in photography during retirement. He and his brother, Steve, shared many enjoyable hours by phone and email on photography topics and resources for each of them to explore. Sharing these discoveries brought both men much enjoyment. Mike was particularly fond of “street photography” and he assembled several table top books displaying his talent in this realm of photography.
Mike’s sister, Ann, was ten years older and loved mentoring her younger brother. But Mike, in his wisdom and insight, also mentored his sister. Mike was always wise beyond his years and the two of them were kindred spirits in how they thought about and reacted to things. When he was only 15, he would write letters to her when she was away at school. They shared a love of travel and took many enjoyable trips together in the U.S. and abroad.
Education was a common interest of both Mike and Chris as a result of their parent’s influence. From an early age, both men knew that education was paramount to a successful career. Without the necessary funding from their families to pay for their education, both men worked hard to earn money for their education and that, coupled with student loans, helped them obtain their educational goals. With an understanding of how difficult it can be to obtain an education when funds are scarce, Mike and Chris established the Chris M. Fisher and Michael E. Peterson Scholarship Endowment for Nursing and Allied Health Professions with Delaware Technical Community College. Their goal is to help others who are in similar financial situations as they were when younger, struggling to meet their educational goals. Mike and Chris became Legacy Society members by including a gift commitment in their estate plans.
Mike is survived by his husband, Chris M. Fisher; his sister, Ann Coil; his brother-in-law, John Coil; and his brother, Steve Peterson. He is also survived by many members of his husband’s family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Delaware Technical Community College, Mike and Chris’ Scholarship Fund #279 by calling 302-259-6024 or visiting www.dtcc.edu/makeagift and reference Fund 279.
A special thanks goes out to Delaware Hospice from the family for the wonderful care they provided. Words alone cannot adequately express their appreciation.
Plans for a memorial service will be announced at a later date.
Please sign Mike's online guest register.
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