Uncle Darrell – Part VI, Obituary

Obituary

Darrell Skeen Peterson was born Feb. 22, 1933, in Ogden, a son of Rulon P. and Naomi Skeen Peterson.  He first attended school in Ogden and later moved with his parents to Riverdale, where his father is connected with Peterson Bros. Hereford ranch.  He was a ninth grade student in Riverdale junior high school and secretary of the student body at the time of his death.

An active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the youth was a counselor in the presidency of the deacons’ quorum of the Lakeview ward.

Interested in Cattle

Interested in Hereford cattle with his father, the boy had recently exhibited some of his cattle as a member of the Future Farmers of America, and had taken prizes for his exhibits.

Surviving, besides the parents, are three brothers and two sisters: Ronald S. Peterson, now on an LDS mission in New Zealand; Lowell S., Wayne S., Janice and Marilyn Peterson.  There are also four grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Skeen, Warren, and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Peterson, Ogden.

Funeral arrangements will be announced by Lindquist & Sons mortuary of Ogden.

The Peterson youth was killed as he drove into the path of a Bamberger Railroad Co. passenger train on the Orchard crossing in Riverdale.  He apparently had waited for a freight train to clear the crossing and drove ahead thinking the crossing safe, investigating officers reported.

Driving West

The youth was driving west to his home at the time of the accident, officers said.  A Bamberger freight going south from Ogden had just cleared the crossing as the northbound passenger train approached the crossing.

Motorman of the passenger train, Reuben Hepworth, 57, Clearfield, told Capt. Harry M. Doyle and Trooper William Kimball Ward of the state troopers, that he slowed down for the crossing because of the freight train, but did not immediately see the Peterson automobile.

The impact carried the automobile 168 ft. northward from the intersection.  The youth suffered skull, face and other injuries resulting in instant death, officers reported.

Mute Evidence of Impacts Force (photo caption)

Fatal force of impact between a passenger train and this automobile driven by Darrell Skeen Peterson, 14-year-old Riverdale youth, carried wreckage 168 feet north of Orchard crossing.

to be continued…