Bruce A Peters died 2/15/2022 at his home on Mercer Island at Covenant Living with his wife Irene at his side. Bruce was 82 years old. He was born in Yakima, WA to Charles (Bob) and Lois Sheppard Peters and raised on an orchard in Parker Heights.

He attended school through the Wapato, WA School district. He graduated from Eastern WA University with a degree in Business Administration. While at Eastern, he completed ROTC training and in the summer of 1962 was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Infantry, US Army. He completed basic Officers Orientation Course at Fort Benning, Georgia in the fall & winter of 1962-63 and assigned to Post Engineers in Bremerhaven, Germany. Upon leaving Germany in the summer of 1965, he received the Army Commendation Medal, an honorable discharge from active duty, and joined the Active Reserves, assigned to the 104th Division at Fort Lawton. He held various positions of Platoon Leader, Company Commander, Battalion Training Officer and Battalion Executive Officer during the period of 1965 to 1975. He was then assigned as Liaison Officer for the United States Military Academy West Point.

Bruce retired in the summer of 1983 as a Lieutenant Colonel, receiving the Meritorious Service Medal from the U.S. Army Reserves and the Meritorious Service Medal from West Point. Bruce was very proud of his military service.

On Bruce’s return from Germany, he worked briefly for the Boeing Company in Human Resources, then at Fredrick and Nelson Department Store as a sales associate in the glassware and china department where he met Heinz and Myra Laufer who asked Bruce to represent their lines, which launched Bruce’s successful career as a Manufacturer’s Representative in the Tabletop/Gift Industry.

Bruce Peters & Associates was a successful business where Bruce traveled the northwest calling on customers that over the years, many became dear friends as did the Manufacturers that Bruce represented. Bruce was the consummate salesman, suit and tie gentleman; loved knowing all about whoever he met and how he could best serve them in business.

Bruce met Irene Hansen in 1979, they were married in 1981, and in December 2021, they celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary with a party at the Women’s University Club in Seattle. Their life together was blessed with abiding support and love for one another. They traveled the world, skied throughout the northwest and Canada, Europe, with Alta, Utah being their favorite area.

Bruce was a ‘farm boy’ at heart and with Irene’s support, grew a beautiful garden at their home on Mercer Island. Their home was a place of love, hosting two weddings, many gatherings, and parties. Bruce knew all the neighbors, their kids, and dogs, interested in all that was taking place. He was a dedicated Rotarian, rarely missing a meeting, even when he was working or on vacation including one in Belfast, Northern Ireland and in Prague, Czech Republic. Bruce was a member of the Mercer Island Presbyterian Church where he served as a Deacon, on the Foundation Committee, and as Logos table parent.

Bruce is survived by his wife Irene, his brothers Chuck (Cathy), Frank (Joanie) his two daughters, Mischa (Yakima) and Susan (Lynwood), cousins, in- laws, 9 nieces/nephews, their spouses, and their 15 children whom he cared about all and loved dearly.

A celebration of life will be held in person and live streamed at the Mercer Island Presbyterian Church (mipc.org) at 1:00p.m. PST on March 26, 2022.

In lieu of flowers, Bruce would want you to donate to the MI Rotary Foundation, the MIPC Foundation, or the EWU Foundation for the ROTC Program.