St. Olaf College | St. Olaf Alumni

*Harry “Top” Peterson ’46

*Harry Michael “Top” Peterson, Jr., 91, of River Forest, Ill., died of natural causes July 23, 2014, at Rush Oak Park Hospital in Oak Park, Ill. Born on Dec. 4, 1922 in Oak Park, he was the son of Dr. Harry M. Peterson, Sr. and Lillian Mayer Peterson. He was a graduate of Oak Park-River Forest High School in 1940 and St. Olaf College in 1946, and a life-long learner. He enlisted in the U.S. Army, served in the 99th Division, and was deployed to the European Theater during WWII. On Dec. 18, 1944, he was taken captive in the Battle of the Bulge and survived prison camp until liberated by allied forces April 28, 1945. In the months between his honorable discharge from the military and his return to college, he wrote a book about his war experience entitled “Our Days Are a Shadow”. The book was published in 2006. He returned to St. Olaf spring semester 1946, where he completed his degree and also met Mary Thorstensen ’46, whom he wed June 6, 1948. Mr. Peterson was founder and president of Food Foundation, Inc., a manufacturer of pancake syrup (Timber Trail) and other sugar, fruit, and maple products. Innovative in business, he was an early adopter and leader in the use of high fructose corn syrup, plastic packaging, and national product distribution through cooperative warehousing (CODE). He sold his business in 1986 and remained in contact with his associates at Tone Products, who have furthered the legacy of his formulae and brands. On Feb. 13, 1975, his first wife, Mary Alice, succumbed to cancer. On April 10, 1976, he married Mary Jane Yoder, who shared his zest for life for 38 years. Mr. Peterson made numerous contributions to his community, including service as board chairman of the Austin YMCA – Chicago, and as a Republican Party precinct captain. He was a member of Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church, where he was confirmed in 1936. A Ruling Eder, he served multiple terms on Session, taught Sunday School, chaired various committees, and was the baritone anchor of the church choir and a quartet. A life-long resident of Oak Park and River Forest, he was active in OPRF Rotary and was an honorary member of American Opera Society of Chicago. He will be lovingly remembered by his family and considerable network of friends for his honorable and courageous service to his country, indomitable spirit, unquenchable curiosity, faith commitment, sense of humor, joy in living, strength of character, breadth of knowledge and generous hospitality. He is survived by his wife, Mary Jane Yoder Peterson; three children, Scott Peterson ’73 and wife Victoria Lynn Soland, Heidi Peterson ’76 and husband Jeffrey Clayton, and Grant Peterson ’77 and wife Diane Thayer Peterson; seven grandchildren, Kaia Peterson and husband Chris Chitty, Leif Peterson and wife Alyssa Boggs Peterson, Harry Matthias Peterson-Brandt and wife Valerie Leigh Peterson-Brandt, Jesse Peterson-Brandt and wife Mary Ahlquist, Micah Peterson-Brandt, Garrett Peterson and wife Natalie Hansen Peterson, and Elise Peterson; two step-grandchildren, Ellen and Joshua Clayton; and two great-grandchildren, Caroline and Espen Chitty. He also leaves a sister, Mary Lou Moore and husband John Moore; sisters-in-law, Jackie Yoder, and Virginia Yoder Marthey and husband Robert Marthey; brother-in-law, Reverend William J. Yoder; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Harry M. Peterson, Sr, and Lillian Mayer Peterson; his first wife, Mary Alice Thorstensen Peterson; and his brother-in-law, Virgil Yoder. Memorial contributions may be made to Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church, Oak Park and River Forest Rotary Scholarship Fund, Oak Park, or a charity of choice.