David Robert Peterson

David Robert Peterson passed away November 13, 2025, in Salt Lake City, Utah, surrounded by his family. Born to Alice Hall and Lemonte Peterson on April 28, 1952, in Salt Lake City, Dave attended East High School. He met his sweetheart, Kathy, while working at Fendall’s ice cream parlor, and then decided to go on a LDS mission. He served in the Brazil Rio de Janeiro Mission. Upon returning, he and Kathy married and raised their 5 children in the Sugarhouse and Holladay areas for their 51 years of marriage.

Dave attended the University of Utah, majoring in accounting while working for Haynie, Larson & Gabrielson, later to become Haynie & Company, CPAs. He spent his entire career at Haynie, eventually becoming its managing partner and growing the business to become a multi-state conglomerate of accounting firms. He had a passion for numbers and for his profession, holding positions with the AICPA and UACPA. But his bigger passion was for the people he worked with. Many, if not most, became friends, not just employees and clients.

Beyond his work and family, his greatest passion was traveling. He loved going to new places, eating local food and made it to all seven continents. Whether it was a work, family or couples trip, he reveled in being abroad. Hawaii, New York and Prague were favorite spots. He liked taking his children along and watching them experience new places. Later in life, he traveled with two good friends who called themselves the “three caballeros.” Favorite places they visited were Cuba, Myanmar and Machu Picchu. When he became sick, it was his biggest trial to not be in an airplane or on a cruise ship enjoying the world around him.

Dave will be most remembered for his generous spirit. He was one to always give the benefit of the doubt to those around him. He never judged a person by their looks, race or politics. He was a giver of second and third and fourth chances. Because of his quiet faith and belief in Jesus Christ, he gave generously to his community. He earned the trust of friends and helped many through hard times by listening and providing counsel. He also loved serving on the boards of Pioneer Theater Company at the University of Utah and Choice Humanitarian, among others.

We will miss seeing Dad, affectionately called ‘Pops’ by his grandkids, sitting in his living room chair where we would chat about University of Utah sports, changes to the tax code, or why it was not worth it to check a bag. We will miss Sunday nights with bowls of popcorn watching Murder She Wrote, Matlock, and football. He loved each member of his family for exactly who they are and was proud of each one.

David was predeceased by his parents Alice and Lemonte Peterson, his older sister, Catherine, and brother-in-law Glenn Morgan. He is survived by his loving wife Kathy; children, Amy (Andrew) Sjoblom, Katy (Cory) Alder, Lizzy (Roland) Scherbel, Erik (Lyndsay) Peterson, and Amanda (Sam) Richards; his brother Monty and sister Sue Morgan. His 18 grandchildren will be missing giving their Pops ‘bones’ and hearing him say b-b-b-buh-bye at the end of a visit.

Thank you to the medical professionals who have supported Dave and his family with compassion and dignity during his long period of illness, in particular those at Encompass Rehabilitation Hospital in Sandy.

Funeral services will be held Monday, November 24, at 11 am at the LDS Holladay 3rd ward chapel at 4568 S Holladay Blvd. Visitation at the same chapel on Sunday, November 23, from 5-7 pm and Monday, November 24, from 9:30-10:45 am before the funeral service. You may access the service online through Zoom by clicking on the “Watch Service” button above. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Utah Refugee Connection, Pioneer Theater Company at the University of Utah or your local food bank.