In Memory Of
Lonnie Gene Peterson
1950
2020
Lonnie Gene Peterson
March 18, 1950 — November 21, 2020
Lonnie Peterson, 70, of Orlando, FL passed away from a sudden heart attack on Saturday, Nov. 21st. He was a man of extraordinary talents, interests and friendliness.
"Lonnie possessed the ability to engage with anyone" said his friend Chuck Liebold. "Lots of people have the gift of trivial gab; Lonnie truly connected with people."
Like the time he made a special trip to a highway overpass to give a homeless man a canister of homemade Christmas cookies. Or when he invited a trail-hardened old hiker named Maverick to join him for breakfast at the Grand Canyon. Or the time he talked a Vancouver taxi driver into giving him a tour of the city's photo opps. That was Lonnie. Friendliness was just part of his DNA, as was hard work and achieving goals.
Growing up on a farm in western Nebraska, Lonnie excelled in school, especially math and science. He majored in architecture at the University of Nebraska, graduating in 1973. His career as an architect took him from Omaha and then to Montreal, where he specialized in retail and shopping center design. It was in Canada he met his future business partner and lifetime friend, architect Ed Cuhaci. In 1978 they formed Cuhaci-Peterson Architects, and Lonnie moved to Orlando to set up shop—which was initially in his apartment. Today Cuhaci-Peterson has more than 200 employees in four U.S. cities.
In 1981 Lonnie married the love of his life, Karen, who survives him along with his sister Terri Wilson (Carl) of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, brother Roger Peterson (Diane) of Sioux City, IA, niece Karah Wilson of Orlando, plus 7 godchildren and many nephews, nieces and friends.
Lonnie loved the outdoors and made frequent hiking, biking and camping trips to destinations around the country. Retiring in 2016 gave him more time to pursue his passions and discover new ones, such as wood working. Teaching himself, he was soon making wonderful creations in his garage workshop, giving many away to friends and neighbors.
"Everyone that had the pleasure of knowing Lonnie loved him" recalled long-time friend Rob Yacabucci. "I guess the best way that I can sum up Lonnie is with two words – Joyful Friend. I will miss my friend Lonnie very much. His void will be hard to fill."
A celebration of life will take place at 6:00 PM on Friday, December 11, 2020 at the Alfond Inn, 300 E New England Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789. A reception will follow beginning at 7:00 PM eastern. RSVP only, no walk-ins please, due to limited capacity. Masks and social distancing are required. RSVP at: https://bit.ly/LonnieRSVP
Valet parking is available in front of the hotel, as well as limited self-parking in the Alfond Inn lot. Alternatively, parking is available on the street and at the Samuel B. Lawrence Center on the SW corner of S Interlachen Ave. and E New England Ave, across the street from the hotel.
The Celebration of Life will be streamed live on the internet and also be recorded for later viewing. We welcome anyone who is interested to join and share this link: https://bit.ly/LonnieLiveStream
Before watching the live stream, you may find it helpful to view this 90 second video that shows you exactly what to do when logging in: https://vimeo.com/489466481/710f81145a
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Lonnie G. Peterson Scholarship in Architecture, established by the International Council of Shopping Centers. Donations can be made via check made payable to "ICSC Foundation." In the memo line write "Lonnie G. Peterson Scholarship."
Mail to: Cuhaci & Peterson
ATTN: Casey Duranczyk
930 Woodcock Road, #101
Orlando, FL 32803
To leave a condolence message for the family, please click on the "Share Memories" button above.
"Lonnie possessed the ability to engage with anyone" said his friend Chuck Liebold. "Lots of people have the gift of trivial gab; Lonnie truly connected with people."
Like the time he made a special trip to a highway overpass to give a homeless man a canister of homemade Christmas cookies. Or when he invited a trail-hardened old hiker named Maverick to join him for breakfast at the Grand Canyon. Or the time he talked a Vancouver taxi driver into giving him a tour of the city's photo opps. That was Lonnie. Friendliness was just part of his DNA, as was hard work and achieving goals.
Growing up on a farm in western Nebraska, Lonnie excelled in school, especially math and science. He majored in architecture at the University of Nebraska, graduating in 1973. His career as an architect took him from Omaha and then to Montreal, where he specialized in retail and shopping center design. It was in Canada he met his future business partner and lifetime friend, architect Ed Cuhaci. In 1978 they formed Cuhaci-Peterson Architects, and Lonnie moved to Orlando to set up shop—which was initially in his apartment. Today Cuhaci-Peterson has more than 200 employees in four U.S. cities.
In 1981 Lonnie married the love of his life, Karen, who survives him along with his sister Terri Wilson (Carl) of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, brother Roger Peterson (Diane) of Sioux City, IA, niece Karah Wilson of Orlando, plus 7 godchildren and many nephews, nieces and friends.
Lonnie loved the outdoors and made frequent hiking, biking and camping trips to destinations around the country. Retiring in 2016 gave him more time to pursue his passions and discover new ones, such as wood working. Teaching himself, he was soon making wonderful creations in his garage workshop, giving many away to friends and neighbors.
"Everyone that had the pleasure of knowing Lonnie loved him" recalled long-time friend Rob Yacabucci. "I guess the best way that I can sum up Lonnie is with two words – Joyful Friend. I will miss my friend Lonnie very much. His void will be hard to fill."
A celebration of life will take place at 6:00 PM on Friday, December 11, 2020 at the Alfond Inn, 300 E New England Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789. A reception will follow beginning at 7:00 PM eastern. RSVP only, no walk-ins please, due to limited capacity. Masks and social distancing are required. RSVP at: https://bit.ly/LonnieRSVP
Valet parking is available in front of the hotel, as well as limited self-parking in the Alfond Inn lot. Alternatively, parking is available on the street and at the Samuel B. Lawrence Center on the SW corner of S Interlachen Ave. and E New England Ave, across the street from the hotel.
The Celebration of Life will be streamed live on the internet and also be recorded for later viewing. We welcome anyone who is interested to join and share this link: https://bit.ly/LonnieLiveStream
Before watching the live stream, you may find it helpful to view this 90 second video that shows you exactly what to do when logging in: https://vimeo.com/489466481/710f81145a
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Lonnie G. Peterson Scholarship in Architecture, established by the International Council of Shopping Centers. Donations can be made via check made payable to "ICSC Foundation." In the memo line write "Lonnie G. Peterson Scholarship."
Mail to: Cuhaci & Peterson
ATTN: Casey Duranczyk
930 Woodcock Road, #101
Orlando, FL 32803
To leave a condolence message for the family, please click on the "Share Memories" button above.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Lonnie Gene Peterson, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Celebration of Life
Friday, December 11, 2020
Starts at 6:00 pm (Eastern time)
New England Ave
Reception
Friday, December 11, 2020
Starts at 7:00 pm (Eastern time)
New England Ave
Guestbook
Visits: 11
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