Robin T. Peterson

Robin T. Peterson, 82, passed from this life on October 18, 2019, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Casper, Wyo., on July 31, 1937, to Walfred A. and Mary Lurene Kipp Peterson. Robin spent his childhood in Lance Creek, Wyo., and his high school years in Thermopolis, Wyo. He attended the University of Wyoming (undergraduate), the University of Wisconsin and the University of Washington (PhD)—his “three Ws” whose football programs he followed his entire life.

In 1961, while a PhD student at the University of Wisconsin, he became part of the activation of troops for the Berlin Crisis. As part of the Red Arrow Division, he served at Ft. Lewis, Washington.

He taught at NMSU in the College of Business for over four decades as well as teaching at institutions of higher learning in Serbia, Nepal, India, Thailand and Hong Kong. He authored twenty college textbooks and was awarded two Fulbright Scholarships, including the first “Senior” Fulbright awarded in the United States.

The “Robin T. Peterson Endowed Chair in Marketing” funded by a former student in his honor was awarded to Dr. Peterson in 2008 which he held until he retired from NMSU at age 79.

He worked tirelessly for animal welfare, was a hospice volunteer, and a golfer. He also helped his wife at NOF/NM “Bone Boosters”, an osteoporosis support organization.

Many people were accustomed to see him commuting to his work at NMSU on a bicycle. Robin loved his schnauzer dogs Poppy and Pokie. He also maintained a National Wildlife Federation sanctioned backyard habitat where he planted coves of native bushes and trees to provide food for Gambel’s quail coveys, regional and migrating birds and other native wildlife. His family and many friends remember his kindness, loving and non-judgmental ways.

He is survived by Marjorie K. Peterson, his wife of 58 years; son, Timothy (Roxana) Peterson of Las Cruces; daughter, Dr. Kimberly (Brian) Erickson of Portland, Ore .; grandchildren, Max, Vincent, and Olivia Peterson of Las Cruces and Logan and Lake Erickson of Portland, Ore .; brother, John (Barb) of Denver; and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Robin’s well-led life was held at the NMSU Golf Clubhouse on Nov. 3. Donation’s to honor Robin Peterson’s life are being accepted in his name at The Humane Society of the United States at http://action.humanesociety.org. If you would like to leave a message of condolence, please visit http://www.getzcares.com to sign the local online guest book