Roland “Pete” Peterson
Roland “Pete” Peterson
1921-2011
Mr. Roland “Pete” Peterson, much loved Burbank High School teacher for decades, passed away on Sunday afternoon, July 31. He was 89 years old.
Pete was born in 1921 to Swedish immigrants. He was the fifth of Emmanuel and Elizabeth Peterson’s five boys and one girl. Pete was the last of these to pass on. Pete’s beloved wife, Kiva, passed away in 2005, after nearly 60 years of marriage.
Pete and his siblings largely grew up in Burbank, at the family home on the corner of Sixth Street and Walnut Ave. His father had built the family home as well as founding Emmanuel Church in Burbank.
Pete graduated from Burbank High School in 1939, went to college, then came back to BHS to coach tennis, football, basketball and teach history for the next 30 years. Pete’s great sense of humor and love of teaching came through and so over the decades he was much-beloved by thousands of students and colleagues.
In addition to teaching, Pete spent many summers as Camp Director for Viking Kids Club in Burbank, and the mountain Christian Camps at Tahquitz Pines and Forest Home. He loved to travel and took his family all over the United States and Europe. Pete loved sports and his passion was playing (and usually winning) paddleball.
Pete, Kiva and their family moved into the Peterson family home at Sixth Street and Walnut Ave in 1961. He lived there for about 47 years as an adult until moving to Thousand Oaks, near his daughter, Linda.
Pete is survived by his children, Linda, Louanne and Dan; son-in-law, Bob Everett; four grandsons, two granddaughters; and a great-grandson.
He was an inspiration to so many….
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, October 15th at 11:00 AM at Emmanuel Church