RAPID CITY, S.D.- Howard Peterson, former Dean of Students at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, died Sunday, May 4, 2014 at the age of 85. Fondly known as "Dean Pete" by students and colleagues alike, Peterson is remembered for his more than five decades of devotion to the School of Mines. A 1950 alumnus, he served at the university from 1957-1992, first as assistant and associate dean, then as dean of students for the last 23 years of his career. Even after his retirement, Peterson remained a fixture around campus and visited students often in the Surbeck Center, the student union at Mines. Whether as a scholarship coach, Theta Tau fraternity advisor or in his capacity as dean, Peterson was a beloved mentor to thousands of students over five decades. In 2004, a residence hall was named for Peterson. He also served the School of Mines on both the Foundation and Hardrock Club boards of directors and as a volunteer scholarship coach for 10 years after his official retirement. "Dean Pete" loved the School of Mines and devoted his life to its students. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and his many, many friends," said Mines President Heather Wilson. Peterson was born June 28, 1928, in Huron SD to Christian and Anna (Sorensen) Peterson. He graduated from high school in 1946. In 1949, he married Lenatt Hins. They had three children, Renee, Vicki, and Linda. He earned a degree in geological engineering from the School of Mines in 1950, worked in oil exploration and then went on to teach at Redfield High School. He earned a master's degree in education from Northern State Teachers College in 1955. Peterson began his career at the School of Mines in 1957 and in 1969 earned a doctorate in psychology from the University of South Dakota. In 2005, he married Dolores (Dee) Gilliland. Howard attended Trinity Lutheran Church since the 1940's. His parents and his first wife Lenatt preceded him in death. Survivors include his wife, Dee, three daughters, Renee Peterson, Vicki Cowles and her husband, Brad, and Linda Peterson; four grandchildren Mathew Gibbs, his wife Jessica and great-grandson, Timothy; Brian Peterson, his wife, Leslie Snyder-Newquist and great-grandson, Julian; Karen Peterson and her husband Mathew Smart, and Megan Peterson. In addition, two stepsons Edward Gilliland and his wife Bonnie, and their daughters Raegan and Shelby, and Steven and Sherry and his sons Adam and Ehren survive him. The family has asked that memorial gifts be made to either the Howard C. Peterson Scholarship or the Lenatt Peterson Memorial Scholarship at the School of Mines, c/o SDSM&T Foundation, 306 E. Saint Joseph St., Suite 200, Rapid City, S.D., 57701 Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 8, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 402 Kansas City St., with Rev. Wilburn Holz officiating. Lunch will follow. Interment will be at Mountain View Cemetery in Rapid City.