Dr. Charles Hanson “Pete” Peterson, Jr., M.D. passed away on Wednesday, January 03, 2018 in Roanoke. He was, to everyone who knew him, a dear friend and a good and gentle person who devoted his life to the care and service of others.

A graduate of William Fleming High School (1948), Hampden-Sydney College (BA 1952), and the University of Virginia Medical School (MD 1956), Dr. Peterson followed his father into medicine in Roanoke after internships in England and at Hartford Hospital in Connecticut, a residency at Hartford Hospital, and a fellowship in gastroenterology at the University of Virginia.  He met the former Sara Tallulah Lester in Savannah, Georgia while stationed there as a physician for the United States Coast Guard. They married in 1960 and made their home in Roanoke, where he entered the private practice of medicine and he and Tallulah raised their son Michael and daughter Sara Catherine.

Dr. Peterson continued as a physician well into his 80s, retiring in 2014 from Jefferson Internal Medicine Associates after more than 60 years of medical practice. After retirement, he was a regular fixture in the office for lunch and fellowship with his former colleagues and patients, and continued grand rounds at Roanoke Memorial Hospital until July 2017. He was a member of the American Medical Association, American College of Physicians, Medical Society of Virginia, and the Roanoke Academy of Medicine. He was twice Chief of Staff at Community Hospital, and served as an Instructor at the University of Virginia Medical School for 18 years. He was also on staff at Lewis Gale Medical Center.

Throughout his life, Dr. Peterson was generous of his time, talent, and resources. He was a long-time and active member of First Baptist Church and the Rotary Club. He devoted his time to the Bradley Free Clinic, Meals on Wheels, and Blue Ridge Literacy, among others.

Dr. Peterson loved to travel and counted among his favorite life experiences the memories he made with his family and friends on those trips. He participated in several medical mission trips to Kenya and Peru. He regularly hosted physicians from Africa on their trips to the US for professional development. He was a constant optimist and an expert whistler. His happy greetings and whistled renditions of Seventy-Six Trombones will be missed.

He is survived by his wife Tallulah L. Peterson of Roanoke; his son Michael S. Peterson of Roanoke; his daughter Sara Catherine Peterson Kibler, son-in-law James R. Kibler, Jr., and grandchildren Sara Cornelia (Neelie) Kibler, Emily H. Kibler, and John T. Kibler, all of Virginia Beach; his sister Nancy S. Peterson of Hollins; his sister-in-law Anne W. Peterson of Martinsville, VA and Mt. Airy, NC; his nephew W. Banks Peterson, Jr. of Hickory, NC; and his niece Melissa P. Jessup of Pilot Mountain, NC, along with many other family members that he loved and continued to keep in his heart.

In lieu of flowers and in memory of his life of service to others, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Bradley Free Clinic, 1240 3rd Street SW, Roanoke, VA 24016, or to Roanoke Local Office on Aging/Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 14205, Roanoke, Virginia 24038-4205.