R. Max Peterson

Peterson, R. Max, 89, of Washington Township, passed away October 24, 2010 at Hospice of Dayton. Max was born in Polk, Nebraska on November 30, 1920 to Dr. C. Raymond and Elva (O'Neal) Peterson. He was preceded in death by his parents, his older brother and sister-in-law, Dr. Raymond O. and Thelma Peterson of Santa Ana, CA and younger sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and Roger Gustafson of Hordville, NE. Max leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife, Margie, of 59 years; daughters, Barbara (Scott) Glenn of Highland, MD; Christine (Gregory) Cramer of Batavia, IL; Sherry (Eric) Silverberg of Centerville, OH; 6 wonderful grandchildren, Kacie, Nathan, Brian Glenn; David Cramer; Jack (friend, Amy) Silverberg and Brian (Sharon) Silverberg; and a great-granddaughter, Avery.

He graduated from Polk High School, 1938, and the University of Nebraska, 1948, and was a proud member of the "N" Club, Track, 1943. He was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity and served as Alumni Advisor. He was president of the Inter-fraternity Board of Control in 1956, which included alumni advisors of all campus social fraternities. He was very active in the Dayton/Cincinnati Nebraska Alumni Club for years and received the Nebraska Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award in 1987.

He began his banking career in 1937 at the Citizens State Bank, Polk, NE. In 1941, he entered the University of Nebraska and worked for the First National Bank of Lincoln, NE until he joined the Army. He served in the Army 1943-1946 with overseas duty in the Philippines as First Lieutenant. Following discharge from the Army in August, 1946, he worked for the University of Nebraska Athletic Department for over 2 years. After graduation from University of Nebraska in 1948, he joined the Continental National Bank of Lincoln, NE for 8 years, serving as Assistant Cashier and Personnel Director. In 1956, he began his career of 20 years with the Third National Bank and Trust Company of Dayton, OH (now Key Bank) as Vice President of Marketing. He was the creator of the famous "Money Doors," proof coins embedded in acrylic, installed in honor of Third National's 100th anniversary in 1963 at that time the oldest national bank in United States in point of active service to the public. He was honored to be invited by the Ohio Bankers Association to serve on the faculty for the Ohio School of Banking at Ohio University for several years. In 1976, he retired from banking to become a marketing/financial consultant. During his career, he was very active in the Nebraska and Ohio Bankers Associations, the Bank Marketing Association, the American Institution of Banking, and board member of the Dayton Sales Executive Club and the Dayton Advertising Club. He served in many capacities for the Dayton Chamber of Commerce, United Health Foundation, Social Health Club, and the United Appeal. He was a charter board member and served over 40 years for the Honor Seminars of Metropolitan Dayton, Inc. He served on the Board of Administration as treasurer of Normandy United Methodist Church. As a fan and participant of all sports, he was a loyal and active member of the Dayton Agonis Club for over 40 years …always promoting his loyalty for the Nebraska sports.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 13, 2010 at the Normandy United Methodist Church, 450 W. Alex-Bell Road, Dayton, with David and Elizabeth Brown, Co-Pastors, officiating. The family will receive friends at 10:00 AM until time of services. Lunch will be provided after the service. Interment will follow the service at the Miami Valley Memory Gardens for family only. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Normandy Church or the charity of your choice. To his many, many friends, Max bequeaths to you …"You have just inherited my SMILE. Carry it with you always in memory of our friendship."