Allan Stewart Peterson was born on September 13, 1942 in Salina Kansas to Melvin and Mayme Peterson. He was a computer programer and systems analyst and consultant for most of his career. He graduated from Greenville College, Greenville, IL in 1964 and taught math and physics for three years, then took graduate work at the University of Notre Dame.

He married Lenna D. Wiebe of McPherson on February 19, 1966, at the First Baptist Church in McPherson. They were residents of Grand Rapids, MI, for over 30 years, moving to Birmingham in 2003. Allan and Lenna were very much involved in vocal and intrumental music ministry. Allan was quite proficient with the clarinet, lending a spark and depth to Dixieland, jazz and gospel music. He also sang tenor for 12 years with Lighthouse, a Grand Rapids men's gospel a cappella quartet.

 Allan died March 10, 2006 at the age of 63 of a stroke, in Birmingham, AL. Allan is survived by his wife Lenna Wiebe Peterson of the home; son, Chad Peterson, Birmingham; and a daughter and granddaughter Delynn Peterson Chapman and Denae Elise Chapman, Manassas, VA. Allan was preceded in death by his parents Melvin and Mayme Peterson of McPherson.Funeral services were held at Shades Mountain Bible Church, Birmingham Alabama, on March 14, 2006. Burial was in Elmwood Cemetery, Birmingham.

"Allan became my best friend. Good memories involved. He played a mean clarinet and jazzed up most any music he played. One time he jazzed up a special so much in his church, First Covenant, that some of the older people complained about it. " Contributed by Dave Anders