Memories & Candles
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“Dear Paula & Family,
CHIROPRACTIC lost a good friend in Dennis, but he left us in a much better place than he found us. I'll always remember...Read More »
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1 of 32 | Posted by: Michael Senyk, D.C. - Blakely, PA
“I remember how helpful and patient Denny was with all of the students at Palmer.
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2 of 32 | Posted by: Todd Rubley - Jackson, OH
“Dear Paula and extended family,
What a terrible shock this was to hear of Denny's death - we can only imagine how devastating this must be for you...Read More »
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3 of 32 | Posted by: Joann and Richard Geifman - IA
“I have worked with Denny as a friend and colleague for 15 years. We were part of a small group of chiropractic librarians. I always enjoyed my...Read More »
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4 of 32 | Posted by: Della Shupe - St. Paul, MN
“I was only made aware of Dennis' passing. Please accept my condolences. I had the pleasure of knowing Dennis for over 30 years and I always looked...Read More »
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5 of 32 | Posted by: Ed Holtum - Iowa City, IA
“Nearly 25 years ago I interviewed for a librarian position at Palmer College and spent quite a bit of time talking with Dennis. I remember forming...Read More »
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6 of 32 | Posted by: Phyllis J. Harvey - Taylor Ridge, IL
“Our prayers are with you all at this time. May God wrap his arms around you all and grant you comfort and peace.
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7 of 32 | Posted by: Jerry and Bekky Anderson - IA
“Dear Paula and family, just want you to know we are praying for you, sorry we never got to meet your husband, but sounds like he was loved by many....Read More »
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8 of 32 | Posted by: Dorothy Dawson - IA
“I'm so sorry to hear of Dennis's passing. I worked at the Palmer Davenport library for almost two years, and I can't have asked for a kinder and more...Read More »
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9 of 32 | Posted by: Allison Haack - Bloomington, IN
“Paula - Deepest condolences on your loss of Dennis, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I am very sorry that I cannot attend his...Read More »
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10 of 32 | Posted by: Irene Paulavicius - Davenport, IA
“To Paula and boys: No nicer person walked this earth. Everyone will miss him.
So sorry for your loss.
Carl and Sharon
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11 of 32 | Posted by: Carl Tiekotter - MACEDONIA, IA
“I am very sorry to learn of Denny's passing. I wasn't aware of his health condition. What a great family man he was. He will be missed by many. ...Read More »
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12 of 32 | Posted by: Margine Henry - Co. Bluffs, IA
“He can rest knowing that he can made a difference for the profession of chiropractic. Thank you, Dennis Peterson, for making a difference.
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13 of 32 | Posted by: Dennis Malik,DC
“To Paula and Family: My deepest sorrow for your loss of a wonderful husband and father, someone I call-friend. I will forever respect Denny's love...Read More »
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14 of 32 | Posted by: Andrew Avila - Davenport, IA
“Denny and I started working in Iowa medical libraries at about the same time, and I always looked forward to visiting with him at meetings. We would...Read More »
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15 of 32 | Posted by: Mary Wegner - Des Moines, IA
“I did not see Dennis on a regular basis, mostly at medical library meetings. I remember how excited he would get when he talked about going on...Read More »
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16 of 32 | Posted by: Pam Rees - West Des Moines, IA
“Denny was a kind and gentle soul that always had a smile and a positive word for the day. He will be missed but not forgotten as he touched so many...Read More »
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17 of 32 | Posted by: Ron Boesch, DC - Charlotte, IA
“Upon my leave from the Palmer Health Sciences Library, I received a note from Dennis that included the following - "I hope you will take from us as...Read More »
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18 of 32 | Posted by: Steve Williams, Palmer Health Sciences Library employee 1983-92 - NE
“It was my good fortune and great honor to work with Dennis as a colleague at Palmer College. I will greatly miss our discussions in West Hall,...Read More »
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19 of 32 | Posted by: Ted Frevert - Davenport, IA
“Dear Paula, Ryan and Kyle,
We were so sorry to hear that Denny had passed away after his battle with cancer. I will always remember Denny's great...Read More »
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20 of 32 | Posted by: Shirley and Al Bird - CA
“I would like to add one more thing.....Every morning when Denny came into work he always had his special hat on which showed his fun side. I will...Read More »
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21 of 32 | Posted by: Bev Thorman - Davenport, IA
“I remember Denny when he first came to Palmer and I watched him grow through the process of being a faculty member and of course a great Librarian....Read More »
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22 of 32 | Posted by: Troy Tatum, DC - Port Orange , FL
“The word "gentle" does so easily come to mind when I think about Denny. Whenever we passed each other on campus we talked about our kids and soccer...Read More »
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23 of 32 | Posted by: Dr. Lori Newman - Davenport, IA
“I am so sorry on Denny's passing. He was a true friend to everyone. Always had a kind word for all. He was friendly, kind and gentle. He will...Read More »
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24 of 32 | Posted by: Bev Thorman - Davenport, IA
“Denny was a true "Gentle Man" and he will be missed by the many people he came in contact with. My heartfelt sympathies go to his family, friends...Read More »
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25 of 32 | Posted by: Mary Goldsberry - Davenport, IA
“Peterson family you have my sympathy on the passing of Dennis.
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26 of 32 | Posted by: Anna Livdans-Forret
“Denny was one of the kindest people I have met since coming to Palmer in 1991. I will miss his gentle ways and his eagerness to assist with any...Read More »
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27 of 32 | Posted by: Linda Carlson - Colleague
“Herb and I were deeply saddened when we learned of Denny’s passing. Although we did not know him personally, we knew him through his loving wife,...Read More »
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28 of 32 | Posted by: Diane and Herb Trix - Moline, IL
“I have had the privilege of working for Dennis for over 7 years at the Palmer College Library.
One of the last conversations I had with him, was...Read More »
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29 of 32 | Posted by: Amanda Sissel
“I have had the privilege of working for Dennis for over 5 years at the Palmer College Library. I enjoyed many conversations with Dennis about college...Read More »
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30 of 32 | Posted by: Karlene Campbell
“I have many fond school memories of Denny Pete. Most notably a play [He Done Her Wrong], in which he was the hero & I the heroine! Very fun. It...Read More »
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31 of 32 | Posted by: Joelyn (Jody Mueller) Gast - IA
“Peterson Family, I am so sorry for your loss. It's hard to know what to say. A friend sent me a quote when I lost a loved one to cancer and I...Read More »
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32 of 32 | Posted by: Hope Jones - Moline, IL
Dennis R. "Denny" Peterson, 62, a resident of Davenport, died Tuesday, August 14, 2012 at his home after a courageous battle with lymphoma surrounded by his loving family. A celebration of his life and a time for sharing memories and visiting will be held Sunday, August 19, 2012 from 2:00 until 5:00 p.m. in the Vickie Anne Palmer Hall located on the campus of Palmer College, 115 W. 7th Street between Main and Brady Streets. The family encourages you to wear casual attire. Keeping with Denny's wishes, cremation rites have been accorded. Halligan McCabe DeVries Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Dennis Roy Peterson was born on September 21, 1949 in Red Oak, Iowa, a son of Charles Wesley and Jacqueline Ann (Blank) Peterson. He earned an A.S. in Pre-Engineering Studies at Iowa Western Community College in 1969; his BA in Philosophy from Iowa State University of Science & Technology in 1974; and his MA in Library & Information Science from the University of Iowa School of Library and Information Science in 1976.
Denny was united in marriage to Paula L. Pilling on June 2, 1973. They have shared over 39 years of marriage and memories together.
Dennis had served as Director of the David D. Palmer Health Sciences Library beginning in July 1988. He was appointed an Instructor, and Public Services Librarian, to the Palmer faculty in March 1978 with subsequent promotions in 1980 to Assistant Professor; 1985 to Associate Professor and to the rank of Professor in July 2001. Mr. Peterson was selected as Palmer College of Chiropractic's Outstanding Faculty of the Year for 1986. He has also organized and oversaw the libraries on the Palmer campuses in Florida and California.
Denny obviously had a love of books, making a 34 year career out of his passion for reading. He especially loved non-fiction books and was just recently reading a book about philosophy. Dennis has authored, edited book and book chapters including: Chiropractic: An Illustrated History, published in 1994 by Mosby-Yearbook publishers in collaboration with the 1995 Chiropractic Centennial Celebration; Streams from the Fountainhead, an illustrated history of Palmer College of Chiropractic's Centennial Celebration published in 1997; and publication of his research project Index to Chiropractic Literature 1970-1979 printed in 1986.
Denny loved cycling, and did a lot of tandem riding with Paula. Many of their family vacations revolved around cycling. Denny and Paula began riding RAGBRAI in 1975 and rode every year until 1990 when their sons became involved in soccer and baseball, and Denny decided he'd take an active role as coach. In the past ten years, Denny and Paula started back on the RAGBRAI trail, taking their tandem bike across the state. Other family vacations included biking trips across Michigan, fishing trips to Minnesota visits back to the Pilling family farm in Macedonia, Iowa, and Iowa home wrestling meets at Carver Hawkeye Arena.
Memorials may be made to the Lymphoma Research Foundation in Denny's name.
Denny is survived by his loving wife, Paula, Davenport; sons: Ryan (Lindsey DeWitt) Peterson, Eldridge and Kyle (Breanna) Peterson, Davenport; granddaughters: Haylee and Addison; mother, Jacqueline Smith, Macedonia, IA; siblings: Reid (Shelly) Smith, Exira, IA, Kimberly Smith, Alexandria, VA and Sue (Jack) Fiveash, Big Timber, Montana; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Paul and Daisy Mae Pilling, Macedonia, IA; brother-in-law, Larry (Susie) Pilling, Macedonia, IA, and sister-in-law, Marcia Pilling, Seattle, WA; his loving nieces and nephews, and his canine companions: Katie, Bella and Berkeley.
Denny was preceded in death by his father and his sister, Diana Menzie. Online remembrances and condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting Denny's obituary at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.
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