PETERSON, Ronald A.

The Payson Roundup, Payson, Arizona, Tuesday, January 06, 2015 Ronald A. Peterson U.S. Veteran January 11, 1931 - December 28, 2014 Ronald A. Peterson passed away Dec. 28, 2014 surrounded by family. He was born in Duluth, Minn. on Jan. 11, 1931 to Albin and Gretchen Peterson, owners of Lester Park Greenhouse. Upon high school graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he was stationed in Southeast Asia. Returning from military service, he received a bachelor’s degree from University of Minnesota Duluth. He continued his education at Southern Illinois University earning a master’s degree, then was accepted into a doctoral program, receiving a PhD. in philosophy/psychology from University of Missouri. He and his former wife, Leilla Peterson Brooks, came to Arizona State Teachers’ College (now NAU) in 1962 where he wrote the grant for the Institute of Human Development, which is still functioning today. He was also instrumental in setting up several locations of the Guidance Center in Northern Arizona. He moved to the Phoenix area in 1970 where he worked in the behavioral health community, including establishing halfway homes for troubled youths. Relocating to Payson, Ariz. in 1995 he worked in private practice. Retirement brought him back to Flagstaff in 2012. He is survived by daughter, Lori McElfresh; sons, Timothy (Sue) and Eric (Pamela) Peterson; six grandchildren and his sister, Marilyn Solem. A celebration of life was held Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015 at Lozano’s Flagstaff Mortuary, Flagstaff, Ariz. Arrangements are by Lozano’s Flagstaff Mortuary (www.Flagstaff Mortuary.com).