Dierk Detlef Peters April 12, 1917 - March 20, 2014

Dierk Detlef Peters, 96, died March 20, at his home. On that day, he was surrounded by the beauty of the mountains, the deer, and the quail that he loved so much. That night Dierk passed peacefully, the same man on his last day as he was on every other - brave, protective, and confident. A service will be held Friday, April 4, at St. Edward the Martyr Catholic Church in Sisters, followed by a memorial to honor this great man and to celebrate a life well-lived.

Dierk Peters was born April 12, 1917, in Dusseldorf, Germany to Jock Detlef and Herta Emma Maria Peters.

He came to America in 1922 with his mother, grandmother and four sisters, to reunite with his father who was an architect, artist, and set-designer for Paramount Pictures.

Though he had to turn down a basketball scholarship to Oregon State University to stay home and care for his mother and sisters, he was able to attend Pasadena City College.

He married his high school sweetheart, Betty Jane Cobler, but was soon after called to serve the country he'd come to love so deeply in World War II. As an army captain, he served in major campaigns in Africa and Italy, and at age 26 he led his men into a battle which greatly assisted in the liberation of Rome.

He was wounded in action and awarded both the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his bravery and leadership.

Upon his return from the war, he worked in various trades to provide for his young family, including his two daughters, Martha and Cynthia. By 1958, he had established Pacific Roof Structures, which eventually became one of the largest panelized roof erectors in North America. He was very active in industry activities, providing guidance and leadership through his work with the AITC (American Institute of Timber Construction). He continued to lead the company for 48 years, now known as Duke Pacific, until he left Southern California to relocate to Sisters in 2007.

Dierk was a man of great passion, committed to excellence and the pursuit of possibility. He savored every moment of every day; never forgetting to notice the beauty in nature, or humbly express appreciation for all of his blessings. His greatest blessing, however, was his wife of 40 years, Cecile Peters. She showered him with limitless, unconditional love every day of their life together. When Cecile and her daughter, Sabrina, came into Dierk's life in 1974 his entire world changed, and he enjoyed the closeness of a family that deeply honored him. He and Cecile saw the world together, and cherished the memories they shared with dear travel companions over the years.

He is survived by his two daughters and sons-in-law, Cynthia and Ron Laughery of Eagle Point, and Sabrina and Jim Enright of Sisters; his six grandchildren Dierk (April) and Chris (Kyndra) Laughery, Jeff (Robyn) Clay, Christina (Mark) Linder, and Bryan, Brandt and Alexandra Enright; 14 great-grandchildren; and multiple nieces and nephews.

Dierk was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty Jane; his daughter Marty; and his sisters Ursula, Eva, Anne Marie and Herta.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to one of Dierk's favorite charities, The Salvation Army.