David Ronald Rudkin Peterson

David Ronald Rudkin Peterson passed away on Tuesday August 25th, surrounded by his loving wife and family.

Born on August 28, 1942, to Joan and John Peterson, he was the oldest of three sons. Dave is survived by his wife and love of his life, Barbara Peterson, and his younger brother Reg. He is predeceased by brother Alan.  Dave is also survived by his 2 sons Michael (Michelle) and Lance (Laura) and 4 grandchildren Tyson and Chloe (Lance) and Riley and Callum (Michael), as well as his great grandson Charles (Tyson).

Dave is also survived by 3 stepdaughters Marna (Darren), Tanya (Chris) and Tracy (Marc) and 4 grandchildren Connor (Marna), Ben (Tanya), Ava and Alex (Tracy).

Dave gained degrees from UBC and Gonzaga Universities and taught earnestly in public education for 30 years.  He enjoyed many years of coaching junior volleyball as well as sports-announcing for Golds Basketball games and the Spalding Cup Golf Tournament.

Dave’s agile mind was constantly in motion.  A lifelong student of the English language, he was particularly fascinated by the works of Shakespeare and William Faulkner.  He enjoyed acting with the Shuswap Theatre and was a lifetime member of Toastmasters International.  A skilled negotiator, Dave also served for a few years as President of the Shuswap Teachers Association.  After retiring, Dave was hired to teach English in Tianjin, China where he gained the distinction of being the first foreigner to teach in a Public School in all of China. 

Dave’s three all-consuming hobbies were golf, competitive bridge, and reading.  Bridge began in the late ‘70s and eventually he became a Gold Life Master of the game.

Golf was a true passion for Dave and was the focus of every summer and eventually the winter as well, once he and Barb retired.  He was proud to serve on the Board of Directors of the Salmon Arm Golf Club and often played upwards of 125 rounds of golf a year!  

Dave and Barb enjoyed many travels together over the years; Palm Desert, San Diego, New Zealand, Australia, Thailand, Texas, Hawaii and Mexico. In 2024, they took a Sept tour of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales which was a true highlight. 

There will be a Celebration of Life on September 26th, 2026, at Bowers Funeral Home at 2:00 p.m.

Dave enjoyed a full life, and many wonderful memories with dear friends and family. Often known to quote Shakespeare, he shared with us this apt quote in his final days…

“We are such stuff

As dreams are made on, and our little life

Is rounded with a sleep.”

 From The Tempest, Act 4 Scene 1