Lyle R. Peterson Obituary (1924 - 2010)

Lyle Robert Peterson died on 12/21/10 at the Dunn County Health Care Center. Lyle was born on May 3, 1924 to Stella A. (Paulson) Peterson and George C. Peterson in Eau Claire, Wisconsin where he attended public schools and graduated from Memorial High School in 1941. Early on in his schooling, he became interested in music and at the age of 16 was playing trumpet with bands in nightclubs around the Eau Claire area and later on with the Jerry Hable Big Band throughout western Wisconsin. At the age of 18 while working at Storrs Photo Studio and attending the Eau Claire Teachers College, he applied for and was accepted as a cadet in the United States Navy Flight Program. During this time, he furthered his education at De Pauw University and the University of Iowa, along with various Naval flight-training bases. After receiving his pilot's wings and commission at Corpus Christi, Texas, he was assigned to the Navy flight instructor's school in Atlanta, Georgia, and with further training, returned to Corpus Christi where he taught advanced instrument flying to American and British cadets. At the end of his service days, he served as a check pilot reviewing other Navy pilots who were passing through the base for updated instrument flight refresher training. In 1948, he married Virginia I. Hoehn of Eau Claire and from this union two wonderful children were born, as son and a daughter. In 1950 he purchased Engstrom Photography Studio in Faribault, Minnesota. His love of music continued to remain with him and during this time he played with and orchestrated music as musical director of the Faribault American Legion Drum and Bugle Corps. It was then that he took exams and received his certification into the National All-American Judges Association and served as a music judge in many drum and bugle corps competitions throughout the Midwest. In 1956, he purchased Glen Mar Studio in Menomonie, Wisconsin which he operated until his retirement in 1985. Over this time he won many awards for his work. In the final year of his entering photographs in professionally sanctioned state competitions, his prints were exhibited in five states plus a national competition in Washington, DC winning him 17 ribbons, best print of the show in one state and two national awards. During the summer, many free hours were spent with his son and daughter teaching them the joy of water-skiing or motoring up river from their boathouse on Lake Menomin for an afternoon of fishing. He enjoyed the many hunting and fly-in fishing trips that were made with good friends to South Dakota and Canada. Always interested in electronics as a hobby, in years past he put together and built projects ranging from early calculators to a television set. In later years the computer became his hobby and many hours were spent setting up and working with programs that would hold his interest. Lyle was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church. He was a member of the Menomonie Lions Club for 26 years. His wife, Virginia; a son, Steven, Minneapolis; and a daughter, Janis, of Milwaukee, survive him. Among the friends that were held dear to him after moving to Menomonie, are Don and Jean Vasey and their daughter, Chris. There is no way Lyle and Virginia could have made it through the final weeks without their friends' wonderful dedicated personal help. Words cannot express their kindness. In accordance with his wishes, no public services will be held. By pre-arrangement, after cremation, his ashes will be interned in the columbarium at Forest Hill Cemetery, Eau Claire, Wisconsin at which time a private service will be held. It is requested any memorials be given to a worthwhile charity of ones own choice.