Kirikos Family Funeral Home, Inc | Truth or Consequences, NM

Obituary For Russell L. Peterson

Russ Peterson – a teacher to hundreds, a mentor to many, and a friend to all – died December 10, 2020 at Mountain View Regional Medical Center in Las Cruces, NM. He is survived by his loving wife and three devoted children. He was 74.

Born June 14, 1946 in Los Angeles, California to Fred Harvey and Ethel Gloria Peterson. Russ was a loyal public servant from the beginning to the end. He was happiest when he was in uniform, in serving and protecting.

Educated at Arroyo High School, Ventura College, Moorpark College, New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy, Ventura County Sheriff’s Academy, he was wise beyond his education, and people of all ages and stations in life sought his advice and benefited from his counsel.

He will be remembered for his teasing jokes, his wildly entertaining stories, his powerful testimony, his unfailing work ethic, his generous smile and his willingness to come at any time of night to help any neighbor in need, and then to lie about having already been awake.

In his later years, when his failing health robbed him of his strength and stamina, it also gave him a softness we treasured. During this time, he taught us patience and allowed us to show him a small measure of the service he had long showed all of us.

His memory will be cherished and kept alive by his adoring eternal wife and longtime caretaker, Hazel Peterson; children – Karen Ermshar, Steve Horner and Doug Horner; four grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; sister, Gail Pye; and nieces Jenny, Lisa, and Becky.

The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at Mountain View Regional Medical Center for their dedication and eternal care.

Friends are invited to celebrate Russ’s life in Truth or Consequences and to be a part of the procession starting at Kirikos Family Funeral Home on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 10:00 A.M. leading to Vista Memory Gardens Cemetery for the burial service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a tribute donation to the T. or C. Police Department, 507 McAdoo, T. or C., NM 87901.

Guest Book

There are so many memories of Russ and Hazel and the families together i can't pick out just one. The world was a better place because he was here. -Suszn (Baird) Brandt-Wilson

- na

From the moment I met you in T or C in your uniform to the time I saw you in street, you were nothing but kind and humble. I was shocked to learn from this online living in the same block as you. I will miss seeing you walking in the morning with your buddy and your dog. What a great soul. Rest in peace. My condolences to Hazel, family and friends and of course your dog. Maya Aghamiri

- na

i just found out you passed away. chief ,what a shock. I really enjoyed working with you as a reserve officer in TorC .great guy. russ schweiger

- na

My heart is also broken Uncle Russ. Never again will I hear your voice greet me "THERE'S my girl!". Everything that is good in me came from you, my Mom, my Dad and my Grandma. You all have held me up and gave me unconditional love and support all my life and I want to thank you from the bottom of my broken heart for that. Please give my Dad, my sister Becky and my Grandma a huge hug from me. I can't wait to see all of you again. I'll never forget when you came to stay with us when I was in 8th grade. You gave me the respect of asking me if you could store your stereo equipment, your record collection and your bean bag chair in my bedroom. Of coarse I would let you, are you kidding? Lol In those days, kids were never "asked", they were "told". But you asked. "Storing" these things for you, introduced me to Elton John, Carole King, Stevie Wonder, The Eagles, Bread, The Carpenters and so many other wonderful artists and to this day I still know every word to every song on their albums. Sitting there in your bean bag chair with your headphones on let me escape my teenage "troubles" and THAT, my wonderful Uncle Russ, was magic! Thank you for that too. And finally THANK YOU for everything you've done for me and for our our family. I love you with all that I am xoxoxox

- na

Rest in Peace, Russ. It was an honor and my pleasure to call you my friend. --Jim Streicher

- na

Cannot top Tommy Schalkofski's comments; a good man, and a tireless public servant; having people in your life like Russ Peterson is a true advantage of living in a shall town. I, like Russ, moved from a big area of the country to T or C early in my adult life. I count Russ as a blessing among the many this town had given me. My prayers to Hazel and the family. Mark Filosa

- na

A great friend, mentor, best man at our wedding, brother in arms, our Police Chief and the most selfless civil servant we have EVER had the honor to know and work with, went to be with Our Father in Heaven. Rest In Peace Chief Petersonuntil we meet again. Prayers for mom (Hazel) for you, all family and friends. May the presenceof Our Lord be with you and Hazel, to provide comfort and peace. Tom and Barb Schalkofski

- na

We will always remember our trips and be thankful for the memories and friendship. Jay and Lillian Smith

- na

I was heart broken when I heard the news of Russ's passing. I will always have fond memories of our friendship. My condolences to you Hazel and the family. May he Rest in Peace. God Bless you Hazel. Your friend Charles Jiron in Albuquerque New Mexico.

- na

I forgot to add my name to the last post Mandy Younce

- na

Thank u Russ for ur service in the TorC community u will definitely be missed

- na

, I'm so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and your family during this loss Susan Moorhead

- na

SOLONG RUSS KEN ........

- na

Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.

- Kirikos Family Funeral Home, Inc | Truth or Consequences, NM