Gary Allen Peterson

Gary Allen Peterson passed away at his home on June 4, 2026. Gary was born in Woodstock, Illinois on May 15, 1945 to Minnie and Wesley Peterson. Childhood trips to East Battle Lake in Minnesota inspired a lifelong love of fishing and time spent with family. Gary earned a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1970. There, he met his wife Mary. They relocated together to Minnesota where Gary spent his 41 year career at Sperry UNIVAC/Unisys in the rapidly evolving field of computer engineering. He began by designing test equipment and hardware systems before later shifting to software development. Gary also served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam. Throughout his life, Gary took every opportunity to get outside in his 1977 Sylvan fishing boat. While teaching the next generation how to spot a good "walleye chop," or pick the right lure for 5 a.m. bass fishing, he was also passing on his patience, appreciation for the peacefulness of nature, and ability to endure life's challenges (even as small as mosquitoes) with good humor. After playing basketball and baseball at Woodstock High School, Gary played on the Unisys recreational team, the "Memory Errors" and coached Little League. He faithfully attended his children's and grandchildren's many baseball, hockey, and soccer games, dance recitals, band concerts, and track, cross-country, and swim meets. Gary loved playing cards with family and friends, quietly working on a Sudoku puzzle, and, like his parents, keeping an eye on backyard birds. Nothing brought Gary more joy than his family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Mary; his daughter, Lisa (Ryan), and their daughters, Alice and Isabel; his son, Michael (Ann), and their son, Julian; his sister, Karen (John); cherished nieces, nephews and cousins; and friends including his long-standing weekly lunch group. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, JoAnne Brown. Gary was loved by many and will be remembered for his loyalty and work ethic, his steady presence, his quick jokes and his infectious laugh. Memorials preferred to https://www.givemn.org/give/Mn-Fish-Sportfishing-Foundation https://help.dav.org/page/52586/donate/1?ea.tracking.id=fund_sem&en_txn6=G00FN004AADAAA https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/nongame/donate/index.html or donor's choice

Gary Allen Peterson

May 15, 1945 - June 4, 2026

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