Plymouth Veteran Who Lost Foot in WWII Celebrates 100th Birthday
A World War II veteran in Plymouth has lived a colorful life. Much of that life is documented in photographs.
At Rick and Janet Peterson’s longtime home, Rick looks over photos from his time in the Navy. One, a picture of the ship he worked on to transport marines at Iwo Jima.
“Well, that brings back memories,” Rick said. “I knew I was doing something worthwhile, you know.”
Rick earned a Purple Heart after he was shot, losing his foot.
“Shot in the foot right off,” Rick said. “I reached over and picked it up off the ground.”
“But if you’ve been laying the other way?” prompted his wife Janet.
“I would’ve blown my head off. So I was very fortunate to live through that,” Rick said.
Rick Peterson looks at a photo from when he first joined the navy. In this, he was 18 years old.
Family Life
He’s 100 years old now, and has a prosthetic foot. He’s had that for many years. But you could never guess his age — or that he wears a prosthetic foot — just by looking at him. His service, while important, is a small part of his story.
Rick played town ball in North Branch for many years, accompanied by family members. He said he loves baseball.
Over 55 years, he and Janet built a life with their family in Plymouth. Their neighbors say the Peterson house was meant to be a starter, but the kinship kept them there.
“We’re such a wonderful neighborhood, they couldn’t leave,” said Fran Boyer with a laugh. She’s a longtime friend of the Petersons.
They travelled together, regionally, in long bike rides and internationally.
“We’ve traveled to Europe with him a couple times. To Norway,” said his longtime friend Les Nielsen. “It’s been good experiences to go together.”
Though those long rides and trips are behind him, he still meets these friends and more at the bar every week.
“He doesn’t do anything to make you mad! So, it’s awful easy to make friends,” said his friend John Scheunemann.
Rick and his wife, Janet, sit on the couch together in their Plymouth home. They’ve lived there for 55 years.
Miraculous Recovery
Rick’s friends helped him get through a difficult time. A few years ago, he suffered a brain bleed. They weren’t sure if he would make it. Fran said she spent a lot of time with him and Janet as he recovered. But he did survive, and his friends called it a miracle.
His church friend, Alice Hodgson, said she’d describe him as kind, humble and generous. He worked in prison ministry and was very involved with the church over the years.
“I just found him to be the most wonderful person. Friendly, family man, loved the church. Did a lot of things for church,” Alice said.
To celebrate 100 years, his loved ones held a party for him at Vision of Glory church. He talked to every guest.
“They had a party for me!” Rick said. “I wouldn’t want to leave anybody out, for not at least thanking them!”
It’s clear: Rick’s life — and his legacy — never leaves anyone out.
