Rowan Lawrence Pete Peterson
, Oregon
Pete was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, to Salome and Rowan W. Peterson. He graduated from St. James High School in 1966 and attended Penn State University’s Mont Alto campus, where he studied forestry.After his first year at Penn State, Pete traveled to Powers, Oregon, for a summer position with the U.S. Forest Service. His experience there led him to return after the following school year to accept a permanent position with the Forest Service. This began a 35-year career during which he worked on the Siskiyou National Forest, Deschutes National Forest, and the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.Pete was dedicated to serving his communities through volunteer fire departments. He served for many years as Fire Chief of the Powers Volunteer Fire Department, a position he valued greatly. He later volunteered and served as a board member with the Westside Fire Department in Hood River.Pete enjoyed working outdoors and…