Roger Neal Peterson

Roger Peterson, 72, farmer, cattleman, cowboy, died on June 8th, 2022 surrounded by family and holding a fistful of wheat at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane, Wash. He's now farming fields where the bushel count is always high and stripe rust never happens. Roger was born Oct. 6th, 1949 to Chester and Katie Peterson.

Roger attended Reardan High School. After graduating, he got in his brand-new Pontiac GTO and drove down to WSU, where he always carried a briefcase to class and graduated from veterinary school in 1973. Roger joined a Spokane vet clinic and worked at Playfair Race Course, where he made lifelong friends and did more borderline criminal stuff than any of you would probably believe. He then ran his own practice, Peterson Veterinary Clinic, for five years before returning home to farm with his beloved father, Chester. He grew wheat, barley, alfalfa, and had a herd of Shorthorn-Simmental cattle. He would think it's crass to tell you how many acres, so don't even ask.

In 1986, Roger met the love of his life, a fiery nurse named Larae Hammer. They dated for 3 months and were engaged for 10 days. Roger says he "just knew" from their first meeting. They had two daughters—Halloran Elizabeth and Hannah Katherine—and loved them to pieces. Halloran worked alongside him on the farm for years, and whenever she backed into something he would always start the conversation with "I love you." He shared his love of reading with Hannah who, just like him, never leaves the house without a book.

When he wasn't in the field or with his girls, Roger served on the Edwall chemical board, RGG board, RR Warehouse board, and the Reardan-Edwall School Board. Roger was kind to animals and humans alike; he created a special world with everyone who knew him.

We won't be the only ones to tell you he was the smartest man you could ever meet, but he was also the funniest—the man was never ever without a joke. He snowmobiled like a madman and knew which way was North no matter where he was. He could fix anything and had an annoying talent for always finding a great parking place in town (even in Pike Place Market). Roger always gave good advice "from the back of the hay truck" and his solution to almost any problem was to "let it roll off your back." He loved old cars, good books, blues music, and had a joke for every occasion (not always, but frequently filthy).

Roger will be dearly missed by his wife Larae, daughters Halloran and Hannah, sister Linda, and his dog best friend Louis L'Amour.

In lieu of a traditional service, we will celebrate Roger's life through good burgers and cold beer, on June 18th from 12 to 4pm at Reardan Community Hall. Bring your best stories of Roger. Casual clothes, but Carhartt is encouraged. We hope to see you there, but if not, he'd want you to know—life's good.