Obituary of Randall S. Peterson

Randall S. ("Randy") Peterson, a devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many, passed away peacefully at his home in Loomis Bay on Wednesday, January 8, 2014. Randy, a lifelong area resident, was born September 17, 1952 in Jamestown, NY. He was the son of Lyle and Gladys Peterson. He graduated from Jamestown High School in 1970, Jamestown Community College with an Associate's Degree in 1972, and Clarkson College of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and Environmental Studies in 1974. After graduation, Randy returned to Jamestown to work as a Civil Engineer at the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities (BPU).While at the BPU, he earned his Professional Engineer's license in 1980 and holds both Water Treatment and Water Distribution licenses. Randy began his career as a meter reader during summer breaks before starting full time as an engineer. In the late 1980's he was promoted to Senior Engineer and then to Engineering and Operations Manager in the 1990s. In the 2000s, Randy was named Deputy General Manager for Water Resources, which included: Water, Waste Water, District Heating and Solid Waste Divisions. He enjoyed the challenge work brought to him and the people he was able to work with. Randy was an active member of the community as he belonged to Hillcrest Baptist Church, Busti Planning Board, Allen Park Men's Club, Mount Moriah Lodge, Vikings Ingjald Lodge No. 65, and Lakewood Rod and Gun. He also was a member of the National Ski Patrol at Peek 'n Peak for 20 years. Randy married Sue Colander on July 23rd, 1976, in a marriage that joined not only two lives but also their two families. Randy and Sue lived on Gwendolin Avenue for 34 years where they worked as a team to raise three children, Jeremy, Adam and Betsy. When Randy's parents sold their Panama ranch, the Peterson Ponderosa, Randy and Sue's summer cottage on Chautauqua Lake became a key gathering point for both families and friends. Times there were filled with waterskiing, jet skiing, sailing, canoeing, good food and friendship, punctuated by Randy's friendly wisecracks, for which he was well known. In 2011, Randy & Sue turned their summer cottage into their permanent home on Chautauqua Lake. He retired from the BPU in 2010, but soon after his retirement he became Director of South & Center Chautauqua Lake Sewer Districts. Randy enjoyed the new atmosphere, the challenge and the people he was able to meet, and was working on a plan to consolidate the waste disposal districts around Chautauqua Lake. Randy's life was centered around family, water and work. He met his wife Sue at the Jamestown High School Pool where she was lifeguarding. When not working Randy enjoyed spending time with his family and friends at Chautauqua Lake, at the Peterson Ponderosa, skiing at Peek 'n Peak, going on vacation or wherever the family could be together. Summers centered around the lake, as did his jobs. His work was devoted to providing clean water and water treatment, and in the latest South & Center Chautauqua Lake Sewer District Report, he wrote, in his typical direct and humorous manner of communicating, that people's number 2 was the District's number 1 concern. Not only was Randy a direct and humorous communicator; he was also a person who called it like he saw it, which generally was the way it was. He was known for his "out of the box" ideas-give him a problem and, with an engineer's sensibility, he would figure out a way to solve it, not always in the most politically acceptable manner. He was a genuine and sincere man who what you saw was what you got. He was a one-of-a-kind husband, dad, pop-pop, and son who will be missed by all. Randy touched many people's lives and his impact will forever trickle like a water drop. Randy is survived by his wife, Susan Colander Peterson of Ashville, NY, and his mother Gladys Peterson of Jamestown, NY. Randy was preceded in death by his father, Lyle S. Peterson who passed away in March 2005. He is also survived by his children: Jeremy (Laichun) Peterson of South Orange, NJ, Adam (Amanda) Peterson of Naples, FL, and, Betsy (Craig) Peterson - Korth of Nyack, NY; along with five grandchildren: Abigail, Benjamin and Joshua Peterson of Naples, FL, Jake and Chace Peterson of South Orange, NJ, brother, Gregory (Cindy) Peterson of Lakewood, NY and sister Becky (John) Yanak of Upper St. Clair, PA. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday January 15, 2014 in the Hillcrest Baptist Church. The Rev. Denis M. O'Pray of Minneapolis, MN will officiate. The family will receive friends from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday January 14 in the Lind Funeral Home. Burial will be in Lake View Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Randall S. Peterson Memorial Fund, c/o the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, 418 Spring Street, Jamestown, NY 14701; or to a charity of one's choice.