Dr. Ronald L. Peterson, M.D.

  Dr. Ronald L. Peterson, M.D., age 86, passed away at his home surrounded by his family on October 1, 2018.  He was born Jan. 14, 1932 in Logansport, Indiana to Pauline (Moore) Peterson and Alfred L. Peterson.  Following graduation from Logansport High School, having played tennis & basketball, he attended Indiana University, completing medical school in 1956.  Being the smart man he was, Ron met & married the love of his life, Virginia Pierce, a fellow I.U. grad and school teacher on June 26, 1954. After an internship in Lima, OH, his family moved to Wichita Falls, TX., where Ron served as Captain in the U.S.A.F. for 2 years. After leaving Texas, the Petersons settled in Plymouth, IN where Ron began his family practice with ‘ole’ Doc. Vore and a year later was joined by Dr. J. Kent Guild, whom he practiced medicine with for 31 years, until his retirement in 1991.

                   Surrounded by his 7 children, Ron stole any quiet time to read only medical literature, assuring that he stay current with the ever-changing modalities of modern medicine.  Initially, his medical practice consisted of setting fractures, delivering babies, his office practice, emergency room call, making house calls and even seeing his own patients when they were admitted to the hospital, imagine that concept?  Family practice eventually developed into its own specialty: Ron achieved diplomat status in the American Board of Family Practice. Not making the almighty dollar his focus, rather keeping medical treatment affordable, Ron kept his office visit charge aligned with the price of a postage stamp; i.e. a 2¢ stamp = a $2.00 office charge.  When a stamp rose from 2¢ to 10¢, his office visit charge rose from $2.00 to $10.00. He was so fortunate to have managed his office with such capable support staff for so many years.

             Raising his children along with his Arabian horses on the farm were where his devotions lay.  Though his pace slowed with age, he remained an avid runner from age 40 to 86. At age 70 he challenged his sons to run the Blueberry Festival Blueberry stomp 15K, where all 4 crossed the finish line together. In addition, he and Ginny became ruby life masters in duplicate bridge. As family & secondary families grew, Ron & Ginny brought them all together for a week long reunion at Potato Creek State Park for 35 straight years.  It is there, in the Porter Rae Cemetery, he will take his final, well deserved rest.

              Ron is survived by his wife of 64 years, Virginia, his sister Judy Gillum, his children Pamela J. (Steve) Lawrence, Randy, Stephen W. (Cindy), Janice, Julie Jarvis, and Barry C. (LeeAnn), along with 15 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.  He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, some of whom were as close to him as his children. He was preceded in death by his parents, his youngest daughter Christie Lynn Peterson, his sister Sheila Costello, and his sisters-in-law Mary Louise (Bill)Yerkes and Betty Jo Stein.

               Funeral Mass will be Celebrated at 11:00 A.M. on October 5, 2018 with a viewing and Rosary one hour prior. Service will take place at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 611 N. Center St., Plymouth, IN; followed by a meal at the K of C Hall. Burial will take place at a later date in Porter Rae Cemetery-Potato Creek State Park. Donations to be made to one of the following: St. Michael School and/or Christie Peterson Scholarship Foundation c/o Marshall County Community Foundation.   

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