Rubin (Pete) Pettersen

Rubin (Pete) Pettersen, 87, passed away on Tuesday, March 21.

Born March 4, 1930, in Watsonville, Calif., he lived in Eureka, Blythe, San Diego, and Valencia before settling in Fallbrook. He received a music scholarship to University of Pacific after high school, but was drafted to serve in the Korean War.

After serving, Pete and his wife Joyce moved to Blythe, Calif. where they lived for 32 years, and were the proud owners of Pettersen Electric. In Blythe, he was a pillar of the community. There, they raised their boys Alec and Eric.

Pete loved to spend time on the river and Lake Havasu with his family, as well as hunting, fishing and the occasional horseback rides, leading with his red mule. Pete was a Master Mason and Exalted Ruler of the Blythe Elks Lodge

Later, Pete’s passion turned to fishing on his boat in San Diego. Much family time was spent trolling for marlin and tuna, and he always welcomed 4:00 cocktail hour on the dock with Joyce and his close friends.

After Joyce passed, Pete found love once again and married Jeanette. They were married for 14 happy years and enjoyed cruising, socializing with local friends and dominoes. Fallbrook was a special place for Pete where he finally learned to play golf and enjoyed weekly poker nights with the boys.

Survivors include his wife Jeanette and his two sons and daughters-in-law, Alec and Connie; Eric and Janet; four grandchildren (Alexis, Jordyn, Ryan and Reece); and two great-grandchildren (Presley and Slater). Also, his loyal dog Jack.

A celebration of life will be held in Fallbrook on April 8 at 1 p.m. at the Rancho Monserate Country Club. Friends who are interested in attending should contact Alec or Eric for details.

Memorial contributions are welcome and should be sent to: REINS Therapeutic Riding Program, Fallbrook, or Mission Hospice, San Diego.