Former Swedish Medical Center CEO Richard Peterson, 66, dies

Richard Peterson thrived on pressure. His teammates dubbed him "Golden Toe" as kicker on the Macalester College football team in his native Minnesota.

Years later, he channeled that same grace while guiding Seattle's Swedish Medical Center through a decade of growth and turmoil during his tenure as president and chief executive.

"He was rather unflappable. He had a very Scandinavian stoic exterior, but as I've said to many people those still waters run deep," his wife, Rosemary, said.

He died unexpectedly in his sleep early Friday (Nov. 7) at age 66, Rosemary at his side.

Born June 12, 1942, in Minneapolis, Richard Harold Peterson inherited his interest in medical care from his father, internationally known neuroradiologist Harold Peterson.

He earned his bachelor's degree at Macalester and a master's degree in hospital and health-care administration from the University of Minnesota. He went on to serve as chief executive at North Memorial Medical Center and Fairview Riverside Medical Center before accepting the top spot at Swedish in 1995 and moving his family west.

Mr. Peterson is credited with improving Swedish's finances and quality of care amid a turbulent decade of growth, acquisitions, unsuccessful merger attempts and a near revolt by the medical staff. He retired last year.

Under his tenure, Swedish acquired Providence Medical Center, opened a stand-alone emergency facility in Issaquah and announced plans for a Neurosciences Center.

"He's probably been the most connected of all the CEOs in the state. He's found a way to work peacefully with the unions through good times and difficult times," said Leo Greenawalt, president and chief executive of the Washington State Hospital Association.

"He was willing to take leadership stands even if in his peer group they were not popular. He told a group of our nurse leaders, I can't remember what year it was, but that he would staff the hospital with nurses based on what patients needed, not just on the dictates of the budget," said Diane Sosne, registered nurse and president of Service Employees International Union Healthcare 1199NW.

"He was not a boastful person; he was more of a behind-the-scenes person," Sosne said. "There are a lot of CEOs who have these giant egos, and he was not like that — he just wanted to do a good job."

Mr. Peterson held board and committee positions with LifeCenter Northwest, Washington Health Care forum and Health Services Northwest. He chaired the Washington State Hospital Association and was on the board of United Way of King County and the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce.

Away from work, he relished his annual fishing and camping trips with old friends from Minnesota, his wife said. An avid Seattle Opera supporter, he loved Wagner's "The Ring." He practiced tai chi and as a proud Swede, enjoyed cracking Sven and Ole jokes.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Peterson is survived by his brother Jim, of St. Paul, Minn.; sister Judy Lyons, of Madison, Wis.; daughters Kelly, of Minneapolis, and Kristina, of Phoenix; son David Lukinac, of Milwaukee; and four grandchildren.

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Seattle's St. James Cathedral, with a reception to follow at Broadmoor Golf Club.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Rosemary and Richard Peterson Nursing Excellence Fund of Swedish Hospital Foundation (747 Broadway Ave., Seattle, 98122; 206-386-2738) or the Archbishop Hunthausen Foundation for the Homeless, St. James Cathedral (206-622-3559).

Karen Gaudette: 206-515-5618 or kgaudette@seattletimes.com