Richard Petersen-Stellish

Richard L. Petersen-Stellish, age 72, passed away on February 23, 2020 in Madison, WI.

Richard was born October 10, 1947 in Hartley, IA to Burdette and Shirley (Stellish) Petersen. He grew up in Forest City, Iowa and graduated high school in 1966. He attended Cornell College and graduated from University of Iowa in 1970 and Drake University Law School in 1974. Richard returned to Forest City and joined the law firm of Weible, Stipp and Petersen. Later he joined practices with his friend Steven Bakke. He served as Winnebago County attorney during his law career. While in Forest City, Richard was active in community theater and was a charter member of the Quarter to 9 Club.

In 1994 Richard moved to Madison, WI to be near his longtime friends, James (Mary) Carson and Christine (Dennis)Preston. After settling in Madison, Richard started working at Smoky’s Club and Nakoma Country Club.

Richard was widely loved and he was considered an honorary uncle to many of his friends’ children. He was respected for his brilliance, generosity, loyalty, memory and abundant sense of humor. He thrived on his love of history and science fiction, musicals, nature and political discourse.

His true and abiding love was always his family.

Preceded in death by his mother and several dear friends including soul mates, Kathleen Reimer and James Carson. Richard was survived by his father (now deceased); sisters Sue Ellen Petersen of Silverthorne, CO, and Penny Satterwhite and her husband, Dan, of Fort Collins, CO; nephew, William Satterwhite and niece Molly Satterwhite; and countless friends and admirers.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, July 25, 2021 at Smoky’s Club in Madison, Wisconsin where Richard was a loved member of the Smoky’s family.

Memorial donations to honor Richard can be made to Allen Centennial Gardens or Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison, WI or Brick Street Theatre in Forest City, IA.