Richard M. Peters

Richard "Dick" Peters passed away on June 23, 2023 in Newport Beach, CA at the age of 91.

Dick was born in Chicago, Illinois, and attended University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, graduating with a B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering. He was drafted in the Korean War and served honorably. He had a 35-year long career as an aerospace engineer working on many projects on the Gemini, Mercury, Apollo, and Shuttle programs. His career started briefly in Dallas, Texas, before moving to California.

Dick was a member of the El Niguel Country Club in Laguna Niguel, where he golfed and attended many social events. Dick gave his time and talents after retirement to the Serra Club of Orange County for 24 years and to St. Edwards Church in Dana Point on the Grief Ministry committee and volunteer teaching at an after-school engineering program for pre-teens at the church school.

He was married in 1958 to Lorraine E. Buehler in Chicago, Illinois, who preceded him in death in 1991, and he was married to Madrienne Florance in 1998 in Dana Point, California. And he was preceded in death by his grandson, Douglas Fernandez.

In addition to his wife, Madrienne, he is survived by two daughters, Michelle Runge and Denise Petricig, a stepson, James Florance, two stepdaughters, Kathy Fernandez and Suzanne Gadow, eleven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Dick will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Serra Club of Orange County, California, noting on the check: "In Memoriam of Richard Peters" and send to Pat Manzo, Treasurer, P.O. Box 5781, Newport Beach, CA 92662.