Roger Willis Peterson was born on the family farm near Radville in 1927. His parents were Hjelmer and Margetta Peterson. He attended the Great West country school for grades one through grade 10 and then finished high school in the town of Radville. His post-secondary education includes attendance at Moose Jaw Teachers' College (1945-46), at Radville Winter Bible School (1947-50), at Winnipeg Success Business College (1951 spring), and at Abilene Christian College (1956-59 B.A. and M.A. Degrees in Bible, 1969-71 M.S. in psychology, thesis completed 1975).
Roger Peterson married Helen Marie Sinclair in October 1954. They have six children: Wadell (1956), LaVonne (1957), Clayton (1961), Lowell (1963), Bradley (1967), and Michelle (1969).
Roger has taught at six schools: Gladmar rural school (1946-47), Pebble Hill School (1950 spring only), Radville Christian College (1951 56), Western Christian College (1959-69, 1971 79, 1989-94), Fillmore (1982-87), and at the Nigerian Christian Bible College at Ukpom Abak, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, West Africa (1987 and 1994 fall semesters). Besides teaching, he has been principal at both Western Christian College (1963-69, 1989-93) and Fillmore, Sask. (1982-87). He worked in construction near Weyburn (1979-82, 1988-89). Roger served as deacon of the Weyburn church (1965-85) and as an elder (1988-89). He served as an elder at Dauphin (1990-94). Several times he taught "The Life of Christ" to adult Bible classes. He has served as vice-president of the Alumni Association (1953-55), as vice-councilor for the Weyburn Teachers' Association and as a councilor for the hamlet of North Weyburn (1982-89).
In addition to teaching, Roger has left his mark in many areas of life at the college throughout his 35 years of association. He was the editor and printer of Radville Christian College's yearbook Precious Memories, editor of its monthly newspaper the Trumpet, designed the school's original crest, and renovated the basement at Radville into a dining room for the college and an apartment for Lawrence and Mary Anderson. Aided by students, Roger built a telephone system from the town of Radville to the college campus, two miles away. Roger has fond memories of his group counselling sessions at his home near the campus in North Weyburn.
Roger Peterson is a versatile man. At the college he has been student, teacher, vice-principal, principal, chorus director, psychologist, dorm supervisor, fund raiser, photographer, printer, editor, publisher, carpenter, electrician, counsellor, sports director, plumber, mason, gardener, telephone service man, landscaper, and cabinet maker. For his willingness to serve wherever needed and for his dedication to Christian principles, the Alumni Selection Committee chose Roger Willis Peterson to be Alumnus of the Year 1976. (See Part Four of this publication, "Dauphin Days", for our further involvement in Western from 1989 to 1994.- R.P).
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