Roger Peterman has joined the heavenly choir.
Our much loved 85 year old Rog died at Aspirus Wausau Hospital Saturday, April 14, 2012 after a brief bout with cancer. He left us peacefully to the strains of Amazing Grace sung by family members gathered around his bed.
Roger started life in Merrill, Wisconsin on March 14, 1927– born to Clara (Schram) and Harry Peterman. He spent his boyhood years working in the Peterman family store and attending Merrill Junior and Senior High School. It was there he played the clarinet in the band, developing a love for the instrument and jazz. He honed his reknowned arguing ability by joining the school debate team. Rog also became an avid Boy Scout. At age 13, he was the youngest Eagle Scout in Merrill, attaining that rank earning 33 merit badges in a year and a half.
After graduation, Rog answered the call and joined the Navy in 1945. He served two years as a baker at the Great Lakes Naval station. Even after all that bread making, he enjoyed baking until the day he died. Next stop was the University of Wisconsin-Madison where Rog spent his days studying medicine and making lifelong friends in theTheta Chi fraternity. He was a grad assistant in the UW-Madison Pharmacy School and graduated with a Pharmacy degree.
Sorority friend Mary McCord grabbed Roger’s attention at school and they married in 1952. After a brief stint as a registered pharmacist, he hit the road as a medical service representative. His 32 year career spanned several companies and locations from Indianapolis to Mondovi to Eau Claire and finally landed him five children later in Wausau, Wisconsin where he enjoyed many active and full years in the shadow of Rib Mountain.
Roger sang his way through life as member of the UW-Eau Claire Oratorio Choir, several church choirs and for the last 16 years, loved joining in song with the River Valley Harmonizers barbershop group. He was the group’s Program Chairman and in 2006 won their Barbershopper of the Year Award. Roger was also involved in his community as Board Chairman of the Rib Mountain Fire Department and served 15 years on the Wausau Eagle Scout review board. Other passions included bowling, tennis, golfing (making one alleged career hole in one) hunting, woodworking, crossword puzzles and fishing in Canada. He and Mary traveled to Europe and the British Isles and spent their retirement years snow birding in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Roger leaves behind wife Mary; daughters Julie Peterman, Madison; Susan (Wolfgang) Calnin, South Milwaukee; Pat (Tom Joles) Peterman, Albuquerque, NM; Margaret (Bill Peters) Peterman, Minneapolis and son Jim (Lynn)Peterman, Hartland. Grandchildren include: Melissa (Calnin) Knieriem, Nicholas and Brennan Calnin, Ellie, Max and Betsy Joles, Julia Akashio, Mitchel and Mason Peterman and great-grandchildren Lyla, Sidney and Miley Knieriem.
Service will be at 1:00 p.m. Friday, April 20th, at the Brainard Funeral Home-Everest Chapel, 5712 Memorial Court, Weston, Wisconsin. The Rev. Robert Thorn of Saint Matthew Catholic Church, Wausau will officiate. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Saint Matthew Parish Music Fund, 229 South 28th Avenue, Wausau, WI 54401.
We’ll miss you Rog, but you’ll always be a song in our hearts!
Online condolences may be given at www.brainardfuneral.com