Dennis "Denny" L. Peterson

Our beloved father Dennis (Denny) Peterson passed away unexpectedly at home on Thanksgiving Day afternoon. Denny was loved by all who met him. He was a kind, wise, hard-working and loving man. His passion for life centered on God, his family and his love of sports. He genuinely loved life and people. He was born in Wallace Idaho to James and Olive Peterson. He attended high school at North Central where he excelled as a multi-sport athlete in football, basketball and baseball. After graduating, he entered the Navy, serving our country and travelling the globe on a Naval Destroyer ship. It was during this time he met the love of his life, Eunice – his wife of 56 wonderful years. They had a family of 3 boys: Mike, Tim and Dan. They all settled in Spokane. Denny poured his heart and soul into his family. Denny’s career was transportation. His roles included driving semi-trucks - short and long haul, management, sales and his current role at Trans-System Inc. as a CDL driving instructor. He loved driving and the open road. He made countless friends during his career. He never had a single accident in over 50 years of driving that took him to each of the 48 continental states in the US. Denny was very active in youth sports, coaching many of his son’s and grandkid’s teams. His passion for sports also led him to football and basketball officiating. He was a highly regarded HS and major college football and basketball referee. He officiated over 20 college football playoff games including 2 NCAA 1-AA National Championship games. After 33 years of NCAA College football officiating (Big Sky and Pac-10), he retired with Big Sky Hall of Fame Officiating honors. He then transitioned to the EWU press box as the Officiating Observer for the Big Sky Conference at all EWU home football games for 13 years. The EWU football program quickly became part of his extended family. The past 2 football seasons he was an honorary member of the EWU football staff serving the program by driving the equipment semi-truck to EWU’s away games. In total he was involved in high school and college football for 55 consecutive years. Denny was so proud of his seven grandchildren. He was their biggest fan attending countless sporting and life events. Each of them followed in Grandpa’s footsteps and played sports. Denny is survived by his wife Eunice and his brother Jeff. Sons Mike (Robin), Tim (Becky) and Dan (Susan). Grandchildren JD, Tom, Bryan, Mitch, Leah, Ryan and Andrew. His In-Laws Arvellan and Richard Monaghan, and Dean Fuehrer, along with numerous nieces and nephews. Denny is preceded in death by his parents and his Mother and Father In-Law, Ernie and Verla Fuehrer. Visitation services are open to family and friends at Riplinger Funeral home 4305 N Division from 9-5PM Wed-Thur, Dec 2-3. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:30PM on Friday Dec 4 at Berean Bible Church 10910 E Boone Ave, Spokane Valley WA 99206 immediately followed by an on-site reception. In lieu of flowers, for those wishing to honor Denny, please make a donation in Dennis Peterson’s name by writing a check to: “EWU Football Excellence Fund”. Then mail to - EWU Attn: Mike Westfall, 102 Hargreaves Hall, Cheney WA 99004. Or Online donation at https://sites.ewu.edu/foundation (click on “Give Now”. In “Honoree Name” field enter “Dennis Peterson EWU Football Excellence Fund”.