Gerald R. "Skip" Peterson M.D.

Gerald R. “Skip” Peterson, M.D., 85, of Belvidere, IL passed away on Monday, March 21, 2022, at home surrounded by his family.  He was born on April 6, 1936, on the family farm in Wyanet, IL to the late Roger and Elizabeth Peterson. He married the love of his life, Mary Floyd, on September 19, 1959, in Bourbonnais, IL. Skip attended University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana and graduated from University of Illinois College of Medicine in 1961. He moved to Belvidere in 1962 to join Dr. Gordon Kaske in general practice. Skip proudly served his country in The United States Army during the Vietnam War. After returning from Vietnam, he completed a cardiology fellowship at Rush Presbyterian St Lukes in Chicago. In 1972 he co-founded Rockford Cardiology with Dr. Robert Harner. During his medical career, he served as OSF St. Anthony’s Chief of Medical Staff. Skip was a member of St. James Catholic Church, Sister Cities of Belvidere (past president) and Belvidere Noon Rotary Club (Paul Harris Fellow). He enjoyed fishing, family trips to Canada each summer, deer hunting on the Turner farm and pheasant hunting with his sons, as well as harvesting antelope and elk for the Elks Club game dinner. Above all, Skip’s biggest joy was his family. He is loved and will be deeply missed by his beloved wife, Mary; children, Julie Grace (Mark) Hepworth of Rockford, IL, Susan (Rick) Burrow of Fargo, ND, Dr. Joe (Annick) Peterson of Elroy, WI, Dr. John (Ashley) Peterson of Spokane, WA, Jim Peterson of Bloomington, IL, and Dr. Jane (Dr. Dan) Kattenbraker of Elroy, WI.  Skip was adored by his eighteen grandchildren, Elizabeth (Luke) Barnet, Maureen (Mike) Hamachek, Noel Burrow, Mary (Joe) Drumm, Molly Burrow, RJ Burrow, John Paul Burrow, Sophie (Trey) Ruefle, Emilie (Cliff) Frazee, Daphnee (Nick) Hope, Chloe (Scott) Dieste, Maggie Peterson, Katie Peterson, Jordan Peterson, Jacob Peterson, Abigail (Christian) Moring, Owen Kattenbraker, Luke Kattenbraker; twelve great-grandchildren. Skip is also survived by sisters, Jean Fox of Wyanet, IL, Sharon Davis of St Charles, MO. He was preceded in death by his parents, Roger and Elizabeth; sister, Anita Hinch. There will be a visitation on Friday, March 25, 2022, from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at Belvidere Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Belvidere, IL. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, March 26, 2022, at 10:00 A.M. at St James Catholic Church in Belvidere, IL.  Interment in St. James Catholic Cemetery in Belvidere, IL. Memorials may be made to St. James Church, OSF Hospice, or Boone County Historical Society.