Remembering Max Peterson

Can you imagine a boy from Ripley County who spent his days on the Current River, growing up to fish with Presidents? Well, That’s just what Max Peterson did.

Max Ralph Peterson was born on July 25, 1927, in the Ripley County area of Bennet, was the son of Sheriff Ralph and Pauline Gladys (Roberts) Peterson.

Max and his brother and sisters were raised to enjoy and respect the wildlands in their Ozark home, along with a love of education that they all inherited from their school teacher mother.

Upon high school graduation, during the height of World War II, Max, who was only 17, enlisted in the US Navy Aviation Cadet Program.

The war was ending, so he used his time in the service as a qualification to use the G.I. Bill to enroll and earn his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Missouri. He eventually graduated with honors from Harvard University in 1959 with a masters degree in public administration. This scholarship was awarded to Max through the Rockefeller Foundation fellowship.

Soon after his graduation from MIZZOU Max and his wife Janice moved to Plumas National Forest in California, with the US Forest Service, where he made a career out of his love for our nation’s most precious environmental resources.

Max, Jan and their children, Brenda, Paula, Marla and Dana Mark, lived in many different areas of the United States during his career. Eventually, Max was appointed to Washington D.C., acting as the Chief of the Forest Service on June 27, 1979.

Max served from the Carter through Reagan presidential terms in 1987.

He is quoted as having said, “The public’s sudden interest in environmental and resource issues in the 1960’s and 1970’s is well known to all of you.

“The national forests were of particular interest and concern for several reasons. National forests are located in 44 states and within a one-day drive of 90 percent of the U.S. population.

“They provide more outdoor recreation, more hunting and fishing, more timber harvest, more hydroelectric power, and more wilderness than any other public or private land system.

“In addition, they are a source of high-quality water and a number of important and strategic minerals, and provide significant domestic livestock grazing.

“In short, the resources of these lands are wanted by a large number of diverse users who see them as critical to meeting their future needs. Many also see their own desired use as either exclusive of other potential users or at least incompatible with them. In any language, that spells controversy.”

--R. Max Peterson

After he retired from the US Forestry Service, Max continued working with the Fish and Wildlife Agencies internationally as well as Chairman of the North American Forestry Commission, Chairman of the FAO Commission on Forestry, National Conservation Committee of the Boy Scouts of America, Vice-Chairman of the Graduate School of the US Department of Agriculture and head of the US Delegation to World Forestry Congresses in 1960, 1971, 1978 and 1986.

Max received many honors such as the University of Missouri Distinguished Service Award, the US Department of Agriculture Distinguished Service award and the Presidential Rank of Distinguished Executives.

Later in his life, Max began a relationship with the Wonders of Wildlife (WOW) National Museum and Aquarium, in Springfield, Missouri.

Max was hand selected by the CEO, Johnny Morris to organize the facility so it would grow and thrive for generations. WOW is considered to be one of the nation’s premier national museums and aquariums.

Max Peterson passed away last May. He was 96, having lived in what we call the “greatest generation.” The last time I spoke with him was right before my father’s funeral. He had wished to have a letter read since he wouldn’t be able to attend.

I enjoyed listening to his memories of growing up and being friends and roommates in college with my dad.

It seemed like no matter where we moved (were sent by the US Dept. of Fish and Wildlife) he and dad would always meet up. I especially remember the time we lived close to the Petersons in Georgia.

Max was a wonderful man and a great friend. If it weren’t for him, I might not be here. When they were in college in Columbia, Max saved my father’s life. In my book, that’s a HERO.

So, I’m just wondering if we (Citizens of Ripley County) couldn’t do something in MAX PETERSON’S memory? Maybe a canoe race or a street name or even a MAX PETERSON Day? He’s a man worth remembering.