Ronald Peterson

Age 79, a mechanical engineer and lifelong salesman for the Torrington Company, died in Ann Arbor, Michigan on February 1, 2013. His death at Brecon Village was from respiratory failure due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease. He died peacefully surrounded by family and friends. He was born in New Britain, Connecticut on May 31, 1933 the son of Gunnard R. Peterson and Helen Frances Zisk. Ronald graduated from New Britain High School in 1951, where he developed a passion for singing in senior choir, A Capella, men’s chorus, and playing in polka bands for spending money. His motto: “To be good enough, you must be too good.” He received a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Connecticut at Storrs in 1955. He was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity, where he was dubbed “campus smoothie.” He was President of Glee Club. Upon graduation, he served active duty as a Private and mechanical engineering assistant in the U.S. Army, going through basic training at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Aberdeen, Maryland. He started working for the Torrington Company, a bearing manufacturer based in Torrington, Connecticut, in 1955 and pursued a sales career for 43 years until his retirement in 1998. He was co-inventor of U.S. Patent Number 4,919,549 for a Hydrostatic Needle bearing that was issued on April 24, 1990. His curiosity and love of travel brought him to the pyramids in Egypt, the fjords in Norway, the open air markets in Marrakech, the island of Bora Bora in French Polynesia, the suburbs of Shanghai, the candlelit winter nights in Denmark, and family reunions on Nantucket. He retired to Norfolk, Connecticut where he belonged to the Norfolk Church of Christ Congregational, serving as Deacon and receiving an honorarium as a lifetime steward. He regularly sang in the church and a professional Madrigal choir. He was President of the Norfolk Land Trust, President of Meadowbrook Senior Housing and volunteered with Habitat for Humanity. His favorite hobbies were sailing, particularly in the South Seas, making maple syrup each spring, and eating sweets. Ronald is survived by his sister, Diane Stoll (Norman) of Punta Gorda, FL, six children, Ronald of Brattleboro, VT, Christopher (Jolene) of New York, NY, Timothy (Julia) of Chicago, IL, Mary (Raymond) of Richland Center, WI, Matthew (Tirzah) of Milwaukee, WI and Richard (Kerry) of Ann Arbor, MI, along with five grandchildren, Ardea, Autumn, Shelby, Richard, and Charles. His wife, Margaret “Peggy” Peterson died July 1, 1994. A private burial will be conducted by the immediate family at Pond Town Cemetery, Norfolk, CT. In lieu of flowers or gifts, memorial contributions may be made to the Memory Support Center at Brecon Village 101 Brecon Drive Saline, Michigan 48176. Arrangements entrusted to the Robison-Bahnmiller Funeral Home in Saline, MI. To sign Ronald’s guestbook, to leave a memory, or for more information please visit www.rbfhsaline.com.

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Ronald Peterson

May 31, 1933 - February 1, 2013