Dana Stansfield Peterson

Dana Stansfield Peterson June 15, 1953 ~ October 20, 2011 Dana Stansfield Peterson was born to Dr. Warren Peterson and Ruth Stansfield Peterson on June 15, 1953, in Spokane, WA. The family moved to Guilford, CT in 1959, where Dana attended school and explored the woods and shoreline with his sister, Karin, brother, Todd and best friend, Timothy Jones. Dana attended Oregon State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Science. During the summer of 1976, he met his future wife, Peggy, on the Ochoco National Forest as they piled slash and dug fire lines together. Always a romantic, Dana picked a wildflower every morning for her to wear in her hardhat. Following completion of his Wildlife Science degree, Dana moved to Arcata, CA, where he earned a B.S. in Range Management at Humboldt State University. He and Peggy were married in April, 1978, and after graduation, they began their life together in a Forest Service cabin on the Big Summit Ranger District, Prineville, OR. Following moves to Elko, NV, where his son, Christopher, was born, and Spokane, WA, where daughter, Margaret, was born, the family arrived in Wenatchee in 1984. Dana served as Rangeland Management Specialist with the Bureau of Land Management for more than 27 years and had accepted the position of Assistant Field Manager of the Wenatchee District this June. He served as the 2008-2009 President of the Pacific Northwest Section of the Society for Range Management. Dana was particularly proud of the success of his native plants restoration project in the Douglas Creek Riparian Area. During his nearly 30 years in North Central Washington, Dana developed the reputation of a man able to put anyone at ease. He had great respect for people from all walks of life and was admired by his friends and coworkers for his ability to find common ground and foster consensus, always with a sense of humor. He will be remembered for his warmth, patience, enthusiasm and his ability to see the positive in nearly any situation. Dana enjoyed mentoring young colleagues, walking his dogs, attending Margaret's athletic competitions, and walking with Chris and his family along Alki Beach. He is survived by his wife, Peggy and daughter, Margaret, both of Wenatchee and by his son, Christopher, daughter-in-law, Kaci Spurlock and grandson, Odin, all of Seattle. In addition, he is survived by his sister, Karin Sheldon of Boulder, CO; brother, Todd Peterson of Whidbey Island; uncle, John Stansfield of Colorado Springs, CO; cousin, John Stansfield of Larkspur, CO; nieces, Gillian Sheldon Heckendorf of Sherman Oaks, CA and Sierra Peterson of Oakland, CA; nephew, Timothy Sheldon of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; and brand new grand-niece, Gemma Heckendorf. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, November 5, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. at the Brethren Baptist Church United, 535 Okanogan, Wenatchee. Remembrances may be made to the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Society for Range Management, in care of Craig Obermiller, 9605 S.W. Reif, Powell Butte, OR, 97753, or Chelan-Douglas Land Trust, P.O. Box 4461, Wenatchee, WA 98807-4461.

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Dana Stansfield Peterson

June 15, 1953 - October 20, 2011