B. Edward Peterson, artist, engineer, and bass singer with Orcas Choral Society, who with his wife Eleanor succeeded in creating “an eventful adventure,” since they came here in 1990, died Saturday in Islands Convalescent Center after a short illness.

Best known for his three terms on the OPALCO board of directors, to which he was first elected in 1994 and which he served as president in 1995 and 1996, Ed also founded the art docent program in the public school and was one of its staunchest participants. He also served on the Orcas Center board.

Upon his retirement in 1987 as international procurement director of Broken Hill Propriety, Ltd., a multi-national construction and mining company, he was able to expand his painting talents.

He became interested in art as therapy during the illness of his first wife, the late Pearl Voight Peterson. He went on to use the expertise in lively paintings of buildings and the varied light unique to each locale all over the world. His work was accorded one-man shows at both Orcas Center and the Senior Center.

Ed served on the Vestry of Emmanuel Church in the early 1990s with the late John Burns; the two men were integral to the revitalization of the church that occurred in that decade. He became interested in the challenges of Orcas seniors when volunteering as a driver for this group.

During his four terms on the board of Orcas Senior Center, Ed played a strong role in formation of the new building, which opened in 2003.

Born in Chicago, December 22, 1922, Ed earned his BS in engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology and a MBA from San Francisco State. He served as a lieutenant with the U.S. Navy in the Pacific during World War II, after which he worked in design, construction, and supervision of buildings for Bethlehem Steel Company.

Ed met Eleanor when both were commuting on BART in the San Francisco Bay Area and she inquired how to get to the San Rafael Courthouse, thereby proving that there are more good reasons for asking directions than meet the eye.

In addition to the above organizations, he was a member of Palettes, and of the Orcas Island Yacht Club.

In addition to his wife, Ed leaves two children, Diane McDonald of Alpharetta, GA, and Richard Peterson of Ventura, CA; their spouses and one grandchild, Jennafer Peterson; and three step-children, William Bailey, Santa Clara, CA; Margaret Bailey, Spetses, Greece; and Bruce Bailey, Oakland, CA.

A memorial service will be held at Emmanuel Church; arrangements were pending at press time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Paralyzed Veterans, 7 Mill Brook Rd., Wilton, NY, 03086.