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Richard A. Peters (1932-2021)

PETERS, CARPENTER

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 7/7/2021 at 18:58:35

Richard Allen Peters, “Dick”, 88, died on April 5, 2020 with his incredibly devoted wife (and “partner in crime”) of 64 years, Wanda, by his side at Big Meadows nursing home in Savanna, IL after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

It’s hard to know where to begin and how to adequately sum up who Dick Peters was. No words will ever be enough, and if you knew him, you understand why.

Dick was born February 20,1932 in Clinton, IA. As a child born during the Great Depression, he learned at a very young age what it meant to work hard. By the age of 5 he was driving a tractor, and became a “hired man” at his uncle’s farm at age 9. Those experiences as a child were the cornerstone of the incredible work ethic and strength of character he maintained throughout his life.

Dick was always very family oriented. He loved his 5 siblings dearly and always tried to be the very best brother he could possibly be. Dick met Wanda Carpenter in August of 1955 when he was 23 and she was 16. He was handsome, charismatic, smart, and he made her laugh. Much to the chagrin of Wanda’s parents, Dick swept her off her feet (and out of her parents’ house) and they eloped to Chicago just four months later on December 17, 1955. Although his relationship with his in-laws started out a bit rocky, they quickly realized what a wonderful man he was. Wanda’s parents and siblings deeply loved and respected him, and he loved them just the same.
In November of 1960, Dick and Wanda welcomed their first child, Todd Richard Peters. Their second child, Nicole Alayne Peters, was born in September 1976. Dick loved being a father more than anything in the world, and he made sure his children knew they were loved every second of every day. He was the very best father anyone could hope to have. When Nicole married in 2016, he suddenly found himself with two beautiful little granddaughters, Sophia and Zoe, and he couldn’t have been more smitten. Although his time as a grandpa was short, he bragged about them at every opportunity, and beamed with pride while doing so. He truly adored being Grandpa Dick.

Dick had a brilliant mind, an entrepreneurial spirit, and an unwavering determination to be successful. He spent the majority of his adult working life in the manufacturing industry. He loved working with machinery, and he was a genius at troubleshooting. In 1977, he decided to take a leap of faith and start his own machine manufacturing company, R&D Equipment, Inc., in Norwalk, Ohio. He started from scratch and built the business based on his reputation. Dick was honest, fair, consistent, and respectful to his customers and employees, alike. He worked with his employees, and he was an amazing teacher. He was affectionately referred to by the guys as “The Sandal Man” due to the fact that he wore Birkenstocks every day, even in the winter. He believed in building real, lasting relationships with his customers and business associates, which resulted in a business that prospered and customers that spanned the globe. Doing business globally allowed Dick the opportunity to take his family on countless amazing adventures to places most people only dream of going. That leap of faith provided Dick and his family with 22 years of life experiences, hilarious stories, enduring friendships, and the fondest of memories. He was an innovator and a leader in his industry, and he couldn’t have been more proud.

Dick and Wanda sold R&D Equipment, Inc. in February of 1999, and moved to Sabula, IA permanently in 2000. Dick was so happy to move back to the Mississippi River, which he loved so much. He was always an avid fisherman, and being back on the river afforded him endless opportunities to spend time doing what he enjoyed. Retirement also allowed him time for gardening. He loved planting, tending, and harvesting vegetables, and generally just digging in the dirt. He spent time fine-tuning his hummingbird feeder arrangement to attract as many birds as possible to the side porch where he would sit, with a grin on his face and a twinkle in his eyes, and watch them buzz around just overhead. He loved birds and was fascinated by nature, as a whole. The thing Dick enjoyed most about moving to Sabula, was being able to reunite with the amazing Clinton High School Class of 1950 on a regular basis. He loved his classmates and really looked forward to their monthly breakfast get-togethers, and class reunions and birthday parties at Dick Seeser’s. He enjoyed his retirement, and he loved his Sabula community.

Dick was a truly good man, in every way. He believed in the basic goodness of (most) people. He believed in doing what was right, even if it wasn’t what was easy. He believed honesty and integrity were paramount, and his word was his bond. Dick was a man who could be counted on, without question. He was brilliant, determined, and fiercely funny. Dick stood up for those unable to stand up for themselves, and he was always happy to lend someone a helping hand in whatever way was needed. He was
loving and compassionate, and more tender-hearted than most people realize. Dick was a mountain of strength, in every way. He genuinely loved people, and you would be hard pressed to find a better listener. He was a proud man worthy of respect and admiration, and that is how he will be remembered.

Richard Allen Peters is nothing short of legendary.

*wink* *click-click*

Dick will be greatly missed by his loving wife, Wanda Peters of Sabula, IA; daughter Nicole (Sarah) Peters with granddaughters Sophia and Zoe of Milan, OH; Jesse Lawson of Clinton, IA, whom he loved like a grandson; sisters Donna Augustson of Lake City, FL and Virginia Jones of Topeka, KS; brothers Jay (Jean Thomas) Peters of Bellevue, OH and Kenneth (Pat) Peters of Sunrise Beach, MO; sisters-in-law Carlota Carpenter of Washington D.C., Marcia Carpenter of Clinton, IA, and Janell (Larry) Ketelsen of Redfield, IA; brothers-in-law Charles (Mary) Carpenter of Clinton, IA and Kenneth (Roxann) Carpenter of Colorado Springs, CO; as well as many special nieces and nephews.

Dick was preceded in death by his son, Todd Peters; mother, Hazel Scott Mellen and step-father, Dr R.G. Mellen; father, John Howard Peters and step-mother Helen Peters DeSirey; sister, Betty Jane Taylor.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m., Saturday, July 10, 2021 at Law-Jones Funeral Home, Savanna. Memorial gifts may be made to the Sabula Ambulance Service, Calvary Lutheran Church in Sabula, or your charity of choice.

The family would like to express special thanks and appreciation to the compassionate, loving caregivers in the Connections unit at Big Meadows.


 

Jackson Obituaries maintained by Lynn McCleary.
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