Bruce S. Peters, age 81, of Ravenna, passed away Wednesday, August 29th 2012, following a courageous battle with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. He was born on March 27, 1931 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to the late Raymond and Margaret (Nemec) Peters. He was a member of Ravenna High School’s Class of 1950. After graduation, Bruce worked for Chamberlin Engineering of Ravenna and Davey Compressor in Kent. Mr. Peters served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during the Korean War. He was stationed in Itami and Osaka, Japan. He attained the rank of Corporal. Upon honorable discharge from the Army, Mr. Peters worked in the electronics lab and was a member of the flight test crews on Naval airships while employed at Goodyear Aircraft in Akron. In 1962, Bruce moved his former wife, Helen and daughter, Patricia, to Rockville, Maryland where he accepted a position at Vitro Laboratories as an engineering technologist in the System Design Department. His work in the Terrier and Tartar Missile Departments and his assignments in the Coordination Department took him to shipyards worldwide, including England, France, Italy and Hawaii. In addition, Mr. Peters received commendations from Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory for his support of their land-based missile test site and from NAVSEA for his New Threat Upgrade work. Bruce retired from Vitro Labs after 33 years of service and in 2000 returned to his hometown of Ravenna. An avid Amateur Radio operator, his call sign was K8SOG and K3QBA. His long-time friend, Ray Coia, KA8CFN, of Hartville, shared Bruce’s interest and they spoke weekly on the radio for many years. In addition to amateur radio, Mr. Peters enjoyed camping, fishing, target shooting and O-gauge model railroading. He was also the designer and builder of many electronic gadgets which he referred to as “his toys”. Bruce attended Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and was a life member of Ravenna VFW Post 1055. He was also a member of the “Rusty Zipper Gang”, a group of close friends who shared breakfast together every Saturday. Mr. Peters is survived by his daughters, Patricia (Les) Better of Trinity, Florida, Janet Peters of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Suzanne (Atam) Ozkayan of Olney, Maryland; his son, David (Valeria) of Middletown, Maryland; Eight grandchildren, Katharine Better, Kelly Better, Jenny Better, David Rommal, Nicholas Ozkayan, Nadia Ozkayan, Katarina Peters and Alexander Peters; a brother Douglas (Donna) Peters and nephew Doug Peters. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, David Peters and a granddaughter, Kristina Marie Ozkayan. Calling hoursand Funeral services for Bruce S. Peters will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 4, 2012, where friends and family may call one hour 10 - 11 a.m.) prior to service, at Shorts Spicer Crislip Funeral Home Ravenna Chapel. Father John Madden will be officiating.Burial will be at Maple Grove Cemetery in Ravenna.Pallbearers are members of the Ravenna V.F.W. Post 1055. TheFamily would like to express a sincere gratitude to his many friends and especially to Ronnie Rogers, the Ruperet's, the Madlem's, Delmas, Mr. & Mrs. Ries, and to Cambridge Health Care. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The ALS Association, development Department, 27001 Agoura Road, Suite 250, Calabasas Hills, CA 91301 in his name.
