In Memory of Byron Peterson 1937-2023
Our loving friend and dedicated board member, Byron Peterson, has passed. Our deepest condolences to Byron’s family and friends.
We grieve with you; our hearts are broken.
Byron was a wonderful, caring activist and an amazing human being. He will be greatly missed.
Byron Peterson Obituary
"Byron Dean Peterson Byron Dean Peterson, 86, died on Sunday, June 11, 2023, at the Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. He was born on February 13, 1937, in Nebraska City. He grew up and graduated from High School in nearby Talmage. He pursued his undergraduate degree from Dana College in Blair and then went on to receive his master’s degree in social work at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He lived in Lincoln and worked with the Department of Children and Family Services for the State of Nebraska. He later moved to Scottsbluff where he retired and has lived for the past 35 years.
Throughout his life, Byron enjoyed being outdoors. He was always quick to take the lead on an 'adventure' with anyone who would join him. Adventures included camping, swimming creeks and lakes, canoeing, hiking bluffs, rock climbing, sailing, biking, skiing, sledding, and a general notion of exploring anything that needed to be explored. These adventures spanned from his boyhood swimming holes of the Nemaha River in Eastern Nebraska to the very top of the Grand Teton in Western Wyoming and a whole lot of places in between. He found his perfect outdoor spot out at Lake Minatare where he lived for the last 30 years of his life.
During the Civil Rights movement, Byron was actively involved with the African American community in Lincoln. He participated in the early years of the Malone Community Center working to provide activities for inner city youth. Upon moving to Scottsbluff, he became involved with the Native American community in Scottsbluff and South Dakota. Through his work with the Lakota Sioux Tribe, he earned the name 'Man with Big Heart'. He was a long-term Board Member with Nebraskans for Peace and active with the Democratic Party. He could often be found outside the Gering post office with his 'petting' dog getting signatures on petitions for various causes.
Byron is the oldest of three children and preceded in death by his mother Esther (Casper) Viox, his father Leonard Peterson, his stepfather Pershing "Bud" Viox, and his nephew Marty Peterson. Byron is survived by his two sons Erin and wife Julie Peterson of Omaha, NE, and Tyler and wife Michelle Peterson of New York, and grandchildren; Ella Peterson, Adam Peterson, Isabel Peterson, and Isaac Peterson. He is also survived by his sister Sharon Peterson of Denver, CO, brother Terry and wife Annette Peterson of Auburn, NE, and their two sons Troy and Travis Peterson of Omaha, NE.
Over the years, Byron enjoyed the company of his four-legged family which included a long list of lab and lab mixes, cats, and sometimes chickens. If his dog(s) weren't with him at church, stores, or any public place, they were most likely in his pickup waiting for his return. His remaining dogs, Vic and Charlie found loving homes with his caring friends in Scottsbluff.
We grieve with you; our hearts are broken.
Byron was a wonderful, caring activist and an amazing human being. He will be greatly missed.
Byron Peterson Obituary
"Byron Dean Peterson Byron Dean Peterson, 86, died on Sunday, June 11, 2023, at the Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. He was born on February 13, 1937, in Nebraska City. He grew up and graduated from High School in nearby Talmage. He pursued his undergraduate degree from Dana College in Blair and then went on to receive his master’s degree in social work at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He lived in Lincoln and worked with the Department of Children and Family Services for the State of Nebraska. He later moved to Scottsbluff where he retired and has lived for the past 35 years.
Throughout his life, Byron enjoyed being outdoors. He was always quick to take the lead on an 'adventure' with anyone who would join him. Adventures included camping, swimming creeks and lakes, canoeing, hiking bluffs, rock climbing, sailing, biking, skiing, sledding, and a general notion of exploring anything that needed to be explored. These adventures spanned from his boyhood swimming holes of the Nemaha River in Eastern Nebraska to the very top of the Grand Teton in Western Wyoming and a whole lot of places in between. He found his perfect outdoor spot out at Lake Minatare where he lived for the last 30 years of his life.
During the Civil Rights movement, Byron was actively involved with the African American community in Lincoln. He participated in the early years of the Malone Community Center working to provide activities for inner city youth. Upon moving to Scottsbluff, he became involved with the Native American community in Scottsbluff and South Dakota. Through his work with the Lakota Sioux Tribe, he earned the name 'Man with Big Heart'. He was a long-term Board Member with Nebraskans for Peace and active with the Democratic Party. He could often be found outside the Gering post office with his 'petting' dog getting signatures on petitions for various causes.
Byron is the oldest of three children and preceded in death by his mother Esther (Casper) Viox, his father Leonard Peterson, his stepfather Pershing "Bud" Viox, and his nephew Marty Peterson. Byron is survived by his two sons Erin and wife Julie Peterson of Omaha, NE, and Tyler and wife Michelle Peterson of New York, and grandchildren; Ella Peterson, Adam Peterson, Isabel Peterson, and Isaac Peterson. He is also survived by his sister Sharon Peterson of Denver, CO, brother Terry and wife Annette Peterson of Auburn, NE, and their two sons Troy and Travis Peterson of Omaha, NE.
Over the years, Byron enjoyed the company of his four-legged family which included a long list of lab and lab mixes, cats, and sometimes chickens. If his dog(s) weren't with him at church, stores, or any public place, they were most likely in his pickup waiting for his return. His remaining dogs, Vic and Charlie found loving homes with his caring friends in Scottsbluff.
