Wayne Dennis Peters

Wayne Peters of Sandy, Utah passed away unexpectedly on Sunday February 2nd of a cardiac event while snowmobiling with friends in the mountains of Summit County. He was 63.

Wayne was the first of five boys born to Cyril Jacob Peters and Carol Annette (Tasa) Peters. He was born in Aberdeen, South Dakota and spent his early years in North Dakota and South Dakota before the family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah in 1975. Wayne attended Olympus Jr High and Olympus Sr High Schools. When the family moved to Sisseton, South Dakota in 1984, Wayne elected to stay in Salt Lake, having fallen in love with the beauty of the mountains and red rock country and all the recreational opportunities those settings provided. He completed his education at the University of Utah and University of Phoenix, earning his BS and MBA degrees while working full time at Royce’s Private Club.

Wayne was first hired by Dick Simon Trucking as a night dispatcher, and he worked in this industry for the remainder of his life. His disposition was particularly well-suited for this kind of work, as he always had the ability to keep a cool head under pressure and had impeccable judgment. But it was his work schedule that gave him three or four days off per week that was most attractive to him, as this gave him plenty of time to do the things he loved outside of work: running, skiing, golfing, snowmobiling, motorcycling, kayaking, and in the last few years, pickleball. It also gave him plenty of time to complete his daily checklists, which often consisted of doing things for other friends and family. “Acts of service” was definitely Wayne’s love language, and so many of his loved ones will miss him acutely in this regard.

Throughout his life and in all the different areas where he worked and played, Wayne collected and maintained friendships. Time spent with his friends and family was undoubtedly the happiest of his life, but truly nothing made him happier than spending time with his daughter, Reese. He was immensely proud of her for her strong personal character, her intellect, her gentle kindness, her ability to socialize easily with anyone, her values of gratitude, and her sharp wit.

Wayne is survived by his loving life partner Heather Ingham and her family, his daughter Reese and her mother Dawn Barbee, his brother Tim (Kara), and four nieces and one nephew. He was preceded in death by three brothers: infant Paul, Neil, and Steve, as well as his parents.

Very special thanks to the TeJay Simon and Chas Simon families and friends, who attended to Wayne until Search and Rescue arrived, and who also stepped in to make sure all of his belongings were returned to his home. We are very grateful to the whole group.

Wayne enjoyed sustained sobriety in his last years. It would be consistent with his wishes to remind others who suffer from this illness that they are worthy of support, encouragement, and treatment. Nothing changes if nothing changes.