Wayne W. Peterson

Wayne Walter Peterson, 79, of Escanaba, Michigan, passed away on February 24, 2026, at St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay, Wisconsin, with his loving family by his side.

Born on December 17, 1946, in Menominee, Michigan, to Walter and Lois (Gibbs) Peterson, Wayne grew up with a natural curiosity about how things worked. He graduated from Escanaba High School and went on to earn his degree in Engineering from Michigan Technological College. What began as a career in broadcast evolved into a lifelong calling as a Radio Engineer; a role perfectly suited to his steady hands and sharp mind.

Wayne worked for WFRV-TV before lending his talents to all the Escanaba radio stations over the years. He was known as the man who could fix just about anything, the quiet force behind the scenes who kept the signals strong and the radio waves moving. If it hummed, buzzed, or blinked, Wayne could figure it out.

On August 23, 1974, Wayne married the former Beth Ann DeRouin in a beautiful ceremony aboard John Walsh’s yacht on Lake Michigan; a setting that reflected his deep love for the water and the outdoors.

Outside of work, Wayne embraced life with adventure and enthusiasm. He enjoyed snowmobiling, skiing, and boating, and he proudly earned his pilot’s license, always ready to take to the skies or the trails. Whether on the water, in the woods, or in the air, he found joy in motion and freedom.

Wayne will be remembered for his intelligence, his resourcefulness, his love of the outdoors, and his quiet dedication to both his work and his family.

Wayne is survived by his wife, Beth of 53 years and several nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Monday, March 2, 2026, at Anderson Funeral Home in Escanaba from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, followed by family remembrances at 4:00 PM. A luncheon will take place in the Ludington Room immediately following the service. Burial will take place in the Lakeview Cemetery

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