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PETERSON, DONALD P. Donald P. Peterson, of Albuquerque, died on Tuesday, October 19, 2012, surrounded by his family. He was 83. He is survived by his wife Adair, sons Bradley, Russell, and Brian, and daughter Teri. His grand-children are Paige, Michael and Christopher; & great-grandchildren Julia and Sophia. He was the son of the late Palmer and Clara Peterson of Silverdale, Washington. Don received his PhD in mathematics from the University of Oregon, graduating with Phi Beta Kappa honors. He was a Distinguished Member of the Staff of Sandia National Laboratories. He made significant contributions to our National Defense. He served as a math tutor at CMR and SIPI and helped many students to reach their education goals. Don was a consummate outdoorsman. He hiked, backpacked and climbed. He and his beloved wife Adair climbed and hiked into the Grand Canyon to places virtually inaccessible, and to many similar places in Utah and Colorado. He was a member of a Grand Canyon Pioneers Assn. and helped to develop new routes into the Grand Canyon. Don was a member of the New Mexico Mountain Club, Friends of the Sandias and the Sierra Club. He was best known for his 30 years of service with the Albuquerque Mountain Rescue Council where He and Adair helped search for and rescue lost and injured hikers, climbers and victims of aircraft accidents; often in worst possible weather and the most difficult places to reach on the Sandia Mountains. Don was not a large man but he was strong and tough and always got the job done. A quiet and gentle man, Don seemed to never lose his temper even in the most aggravating and frustrating situation. He loved life, his host of friends and New Mexico. One of his favorite quotes was from Dylan Thomas: "Old Age should not go quietly into the night, but should rage and fight the dimming of the light." As he was dying of rare form of leukemia, Don fought hard for his life by using experimental medicines that he hoped would help others to survive. He fought until the end when the light finally went out. Don was cremated. A memorial will be held at his home on Saturday, November 10, starting at 1 p.m. CREMATION SOCIETY OF NM 1935 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE (505) 323-9000
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