Rod Peterson |
| Posted 2009-09-29 by Sharon |
| The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ August 18, 2004, p. A10 Rod Peterson, former resident of Wickenburg, died of West Niles Virus on Monday, Aug 9, at the Motion Picture Hospital near his home in Calabasas, Calif. He was a long-time television writer-producer, known largely for his work in family television, having written more than a dozen episodes of the popular show “The Waltons” with his wife/writer Claire Whitaker, as well as for such shows as “Eight Is Enough,” ‘Family, “ and “The Fitzpatricks.” He produced the final four seasons of the “The Waltons” and went on to produce and write for the night-time soap ‘Falcon Crest.” Earlier, he had a successful 10-year career with Walt Disney Productions as writer and numerous writing credits on scripts for “The Wonderful World of Color.” As a freelancer, he wrote for various early television shows such as “Bonanza, “ “Combat,” “The Deputy,” “Black Saddle, “ and “Broken Arrow,” and was staff writer and assistant producer on the western series “Laramie.” His sole feature writing credit is the Chartroose Caboose,” produced by Universal Studios in 1959. He was born July 7, 1921, in Phoenix to Paul and Elizabeth Peterson. During World War II, he served in the 871st Signal Corps attached to the Air Corps in the Pacific. A graduate of the University of Arizona, he also attended Phoenix College where this month he was named to the Hall of Fame. He was a veteran of early Phoenix radio and television, primarily KTAR, where he served as continuity director and later program director – writing, directing and producing various shows. He is survived by his wife Claire; children Eric Peterson of Albany, Calif., Lisa Winslow of Concord, Calif., and Sally Peterson of Durham, N. C. ; stepchildren Kristin Garbett and Eric Wallengren of Salt Lake City, Mark Wallengren of Studio City; and Rolf Wallengren of Santa Fe, N.M.; and 23 grandchildren. Stepson Ernest Wallengren preceded him in death in 2003. In his honor, friends may make a donation in his name to the E. F. Wallengren Fund for ALS Research, c/o the ALS Association, 27001 Agoura Road, Suite 150, Calabasas Hills, CA 91301 |
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