Dana G. Peterson
March 13, 1955 ~ May 8, 2023
Resided in:
Sanford, Maine
Dana Glenn Peterson, 68, of Sanford, Maine, passed peacefully in the embrace of his loving wife and children on May 8, 2023. He was born in New York in 1955 to Dr. Paul and Marilyn Peterson. He was married to Pamela Peterson in 1984 and they had 38 wonderful years together.
Dana graduated from Cortland High School and earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of New Mexico in 1977. He had a fulfilling career as an Architect beginning at private firms before transitioning to facilities management at multiple Academic institutions, including 16 years at the University of New Hampshire before retiring in 2016. Throughout his career, he continued to develop his professional skills to improve the efficiency and sustainability of building practices and was frequently recognized by his peers for his contributions and accomplishments in the industry.
Dana had a passion for music and was a talented musician who enjoyed sharing his voice and guitar with friends and family whenever he had the opportunity. When he wasn’t singing or playing, he was known to bust some moves on the dance floor and enjoyed discovering new music with his kids while adding to his extensive vinyl collection.
He was very interested in local history and served as Historian at North Parish Congregational Church where he researched and wrote about early Church members as well as those who served their country during WWII. He also helped to coordinate archaeological digs around Sanford, Maine to identify and preserve Pre-Revolutionary settlements.
He enjoyed spending time fishing and boating on Bauneg Beg Lake and was a Lake Steward of Maine, volunteering for many projects to help ensure the ongoing beauty and enjoyment of the Lake.
Above all, he treasured his time with family. He recently completed a genealogy project tracing the family ancestry back multiple generations but was always most excited to spend time and reconnect with his loved ones in the present. His wisdom and love will be greatly missed but we will cherish the memories we created together.
Dana was predeceased by his parents; Dr. Paul and Marilyn Peterson, and sister-in-law; Debra Gilbert. Surviving are his wife; Pamela Peterson, and children; Eric (Michelle Cheek) Valk Peterson and Kirstyn Peterson, siblings; Karen (Benny) Mastronardi, Darryl (Robin) Peterson, and Dale Peterson, sister-in-law; Linda Gilbert; beloved nieces and nephew, and his cat Kube.
A celebration of Dana’s life is scheduled on Saturday June 24 at 11:00am at the North Parish Congregational Church in Sanford, Maine. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Bauneg Beg Lake Association: BBLA PO Box 538 North Berwick, Maine 03906.
To leave a message of condolence click on Dana's Remember Page.
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I am thankful that Dana has heard everything that I wanted to say to him. I am thankful for our friendship, that was much like the lake, smooth, beautiful and warm, rough, windy and chilly. We were honest, we laughed, we cried, we sang out of key and out of time! We hugged, we stomped our feet, we spoke loud, we spoke soft. So, what I would say now is I miss you Dana and maybe someday we can play for the heavens!
P.S I will always have Pams back!
I will always remember the terrible winter storm that occurred in the mid 1980’s. We had all gathered at the Peterson house on Westfield Park. It was snowing so hard and we all had to lend a hand to keep the snow at bay. After hours of shoveling Dana turned to me and said, “Cathy, you are are now officially part of the family!” I remember how happy that made me feel and very much a part of the Peterson family. Over the years I had come to appreciate just how much “family” had meant to him and remember fondly all the get togethers throughout the years. I love and miss my brother-in-law, but know his love and kindness and sense of family carries on.
Please accept my heartfelt condolences on Dana’s passing
Dana always helped me with UNH Projects
Dana was a very good and professional person, someone that you wanted to know!
Dana had a wonderful sense of humor, very friendly and outgoing. I was glad to have met him through his brother Darryl and his wife Robin. Blessings to Pam and family. Darlyn
Once when I was about 12 years old, Dana had some friends over that he was showing his fossil collection to. He had gone excavating for dinosaur bones with our Aunt and was proudly showing off his almost perfectly preserved “Trilobite” specimens. I was feeling left out and jealous that my Aunt had not invited me on what seemed such a cool adventure. Dejected, I walked outside wishing I too had a Trilobite to show my friends. It just so happened that at that time there was a construction firm digging out the basement of a new home going in across the street. As I approached the end of the driveway, I looked up to see a backhoe scooping up some dirt and rock from the ground and dumping it into what appeared to be a fairly full dump truck. As I looked up to watch the load go into the truck and murmuring to myself”how I wished I had a Trilobite of my own”, I couldn’t help but notice a single large rock that missed the dump truck spun off the side and came rolling on the street directly in my direction. It bounced a few times and then split in half and rolled a few feet away from where I was standing. I noticed an odd shape looking up at me and when I picked it up for a closer look I noticed a perfectly preserved “Trilobite” staring back at me. It was beautiful, detailed and bigger than any of the ones Dana had. I ran back in the house eager to show Dana and his friend’s my new discovery. They seemed quite amazed by my story , however, Dana seemed a little annoyed and less impressed. Anyways, I guess this was a case of being at the right place at the right time, or dumb luck, or divine intervention, however, I know I wouldn’t even know what a “Trilobite” was if it wasn’t for my big brother introducing them to me and teaching me about them in the first place.
Many of you may not know that Dana once appeared in crowd scene of a motion picture. If you ever get to see the the in edited version of the movie “Convoy” with Kris Kritoferson and Ali McGraw, you will see Dana standing in the front row of a pan shot on the crowd at the end of the movie. According Dana he saw a notice that was advertising for extras needed for a movie when he was attending college in Albuquerque NM. He said the payment was free beer, so he signed up and often talked about it as a great experience.
My condolences to Dana’s family. I knew Dana from his time on the Planning Board where he was an adamant protector of the environment. As manager of the Water District, I always appreciated his support in protecting our water supply sources and the aquifers we draw water from. Dana understood ecosystems and their importance. After leaving the Planning Board he was always willing to come back to weigh in on items of environmental importance. We also had conversations about water quality in Bauneg Beg and the surrounding watershed. He was a good man, he will be missed.
Joe and I are so sorry, Pam, to hear about Dana’s passing. Although it wasn’t often, the times we were in Dana’s company talking, especially about history we always enjoyed seeing him. May he rest in peace!
My condolences to all his family.
6 years wasn’t enough to learn more. Thanks for the long chats on the telephone. I’m better for your friendship, your sharing of knowledge
He was a gentle and knowledgeable man
Still waters run deep
Standing in the middle of a ancient cemetary in Sanford and having him tell me what it would have been like 100 years ago. Where the roads would have been and showing me hints of the past and how to look for those hints in the future.
His kind words, his vast knowledge
Because he always took the time to share his knowledge with everyone.
That he left his fingerprints on every project throughout his life.
Sanford Planning Board
Enthusiastic drive to share his knowledge with me
After joining the Planning Board, Dana and I use to have long chats on the phone about various places in Springvale and Sanford. What was there in years past. We would often walk these places. He shared vast knowledge with me as we walked about.
I imagine his desk at home was an ever ending place of work projects always in motion. Pages upon pages of research, knowledge and often shared
His enduring willingness to share so that others could share the knowledge into the future.
Didn’t matter how involved/busy he was, he always shared his time
Dana was a loving husband to my good friend Pam who I grew up and went to school with. I will be praying for comfort and strength for her and the family. Love and hugs to all. Dixie Kahle
Dana was a close colleague at UNH for 16 years, and his passion for creating high quality places and spaces was matched by his integrity to ensure safety and comfort, as well as a fair and thorough process. He took great pride to make sure that all voices were heard along the way. He was a leader not only within the work we did, but also across the nation working diligently and sharing his vast knowledge in professional associations.
Dana left an amazing legacy of buildings and processes that will continue on for generations.
We will always remember the good times we shared and his love of music. Listening to his singing and playing his guitar.
Ellen and Wes Best Friends/family
So sorry! You will be missed Dana! With Deepest Sympathy from your friends, Greg and Denise
Dana, we are so thankful for our times together with you and Pam over the years. We will cherish those memories. You are a good friend and a good man.
We are holding you and your family in our hearts, Pam. Praying that God’s presence is so tangible right now and that you feel His loving arms around you❤️
I have too many memories with my Uncle Dana to count from Christmas’s to the lake house and all of our family events my wife and I are so happy he got to come to our wedding we are going to miss him.
Kære Pam Eric Michelle and Kirstin.
It is so difficult to understand that Dana have passed away.
We had so many wonderful hours together with laughter and fun. I will miss our telephone conversations, our trips to Boston, Your history knowledge. You gave your love to history to me. We had a wonderful trip with Darryl to Washington in 2016. I `ll ,miss your peterson travel agency, and your and Pams Hospitality. I´ll miss watching sport together with you.
everytime I am looking at the print you and Pam gave med as a retirement gift, it will reminds me of all the good times we had together. You will always be in my heart.
Ære være Dana´s minde
My uncle Dana was my biggest supporter when it came to performing and music. When I taught myself guitar, he was so happy and the jam sessions we had were always such a fun time. I can’t thank him enough for encouraging my musical curiosity and always supporting my musical endeavors. Even traveling all the way from Maine to Maryland to see my director debut. I will miss you tremendously. Thank you for the music.
He wanted his bacon
I only knew Dana from spending a small amount of time as his roommate at Wentworth Douglas hospital in Dover NH. I mentioned to him that I thought he had a very loving and supportive family. So sad to know that he passed
The best Father-in-law someone could ask for. Dana, I love you and will miss you.
My condolences to all who knew and cared for him.
My heart goes out to Pam on her loss of Dana. He was a wonderful friendly person who we really enjoyed meeting eight years ago when we bought a cabin on the lake. Truly one of the nicest people we met on Bauneg Beg
My brother in law for 31 years.
Dana and my husband Darryl use to look very much a like when they were in their 30’s. When our daughter was learning to talk she would get them mixed up and call her Uncle Dana “DaDa”
Kind, loving and a gentle soul.
As I sit by your lake front home; every time the breeze picks up, I feel your spirit touch me. I will always love and cherish you forever my brother.
What great fun we had when Dana and Pam visited. Lots of great memories throughout the years.