Richard (Dick) Peter was born in Minneapolis, Mn. His mother worked as a sewing machine operator and his father was a Special Deputy Sheriff for Henn. Co. Minnesota as well as a designer and crafter of prosthetics. Dick worked hard with his cousin to tend to a large garden and other chores, storing up vegetables for the winter for two families. When the work was done he and his cousins and their friends rode the bikes to the area lakes and camped.

Dick's father passed away after suffering a heart attack when Dick was in 5th grade. His cousin lost a parent about the same time and the two relied heavily on each other. Dick became very responsible and he worked hard to complete his studies. He excelled in school and after graduation, joined the Regular Army from late 1955 to early 1959. His last grade was Specialist Four.

He served at Dugway Proving Grounds in Utah, Alaska and Germany. He talked about his experiences in the Army. His last Duty assignment was on the 34th Ambulance Train (Rail) APO 34 in Germany and that assignment impacted him deeply.

Dick married Madeline Ondarko in 1955 and they embarked on raising a family of three children, Greg, Chris and Tamara. Dick's service ended by Release from Active Duty, Honorable Discharge in late 1959. He returned to Minneapolis, completing an extensive 4 year Apprenticeship program in Carpentry, working during the day as a carpenter and attending classes in the evening.

He finally landed years later in Rapid City and loved the area. He started a business in construction with a partner and eventually he started his own construction company, RC Peter Construction. He worked very well with many people and he was a successful.

Dick married Jean Gliedt-Peter in 2001 and they continued to live in Rapid City in the old Presbyterian Parsonage on 12th Street until later they retired fully in Summerset.

John W. Holihan, Chief, Test Support Division at Dugway Proving Grounds in Utah said it right in a letter of commendation in 1957. He commended Dick on his untiring efforts and superior work, his initiative, attitude and loyalty to his superiors and his enlisted men.

Many of us loved Dick and Dick loved all of you, his family who included parents, spouses, children, step children, grandchildren and many dear friends. We will miss him greatly.

A graveside service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 21, 2024 at Black Hills National Cemetery with military honors.  A procession will depart from Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home at 10:45 p.m.

We invite you in now,

He who is already here,

To burst forth unto our awareness and into our human experience,

More deeply, more powerfully, more substantially than ever before.

We no longer look to the wings of a sparrow to carry us.

But we look to the wings of the eagle within us.

Dear God please carry us home.

Amen

From Illuminata by M Williamson