Bill & Maureen Peterson

Our newest Blacklake Gyro was born Albert William Peterson, but he goes by the nickname, Bill.  Bill Peterson was born in Sioux City, Iowa, and lived there through age 5.  His father’s job required traveling throughout the US and in 1943 the family settled in the El Monte area of southern California.  He attended Cantwell High School in Montebello. By contrast, Maureen is a native-born Californian, from Whittier.  Bill and Maureen met at a church youth group social in 1952.  They married 5 years later. (These Swedes aren’t exactly known as fast workers.  “Maureen, ay tank maybe ve should get married.”)
From high school, Bill attended Santa Clara University, receiving his Bachelors degree in Economics in 1958.  Meanwhile, Maureen attended the University of California at Berkeley.  Shortly after graduation, Bill served as an infantry officer in the US Army with active duty in 1959 followed by several years of service in the Army Reserve.  His unit was the 306th Psychological Warfare Battalion.  (Imagine that, a battalion full of shrinks!!) The Petersons have 5 children (3 girls and 2 boys), and are blessed with 12 grandchildren (so far).  That really makes for a roomful at Christmas time. Following active service in the Army, Bill joined GTE Corp., working in all phases of the business.  He retired as Business Manager of the Santa Barbara office after 34 years with GTE. Despite her first name and red hair, Maureen insists that she is not of Irish descent.  (However, I’ll bet that somewhere in her ancestry a Celt was lurking in the woodpile.)  Maureen worked as a Dental Assistant, Real Estate Agent, and Secretary for a Construction company.  (But not at the same time.)   All this in addition to being wife and mother. The Petersons moved to Nipomo in 1995, where they settled into their present home on Red Gum Lane.  They are very active in the Nipomo Newcomers Club.  Before that, it was the 5 Cities Newcomers Club and Maureen was twice President of that group. And it was through the Nipomo Newcomers that Bill learned of GYRO.  Many Blacklake Gyros are also members of the Nipomo Newcomers Club.  At Newcomers affairs, Gyros would sometimes speak of Gyro Club activities.  Bill and Maureen liked what they heard and expressed an interest in the GYRO movement.  The rest is history.  The Petersons are exactly the kind of people for GYRO. One of Bill’s hobbies is woodworking, and he is a master craftsman at his specialty – making small objects by turning them on the lathe, from woods of different grains that he had joined.  If you get the opportunity, ask to see his collection of wine bottle stoppers.  They are absolutely beautiful.  His other passion is managing his investment portfolio.  Bill joined a local Investment Club in 1997, and he loves to talk investment strategies.  Bill is a member of the Arroyo Grande Rotary and RAMS clubs. Maureen also joined an Investment Club in 1997.  Not the same one as Bill’s.  Smart move on their part.  Although now, they are in competition.  I dared not ask which of the two is doing better.  Maureen is also taking watercolor classes.  When they were living in Santa Barbara, Maureen was a docent for the Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens and for Lotus Land in Montecito.  By the way, Maureen is also the Nipomo weatherperson for the Tribune. The Petersons own a RV and they love RV-ing.  Also, they share an interest in gardening. Bill’s birthday is July 29 and Maureen’s is September 23.