Kjell Christopher Peterson Obituary (1969

Kjell Petersons big, generous heart suddenly stopped on June 1, 2022, leaving family and friends stunned and missing this unselfish, gentle giant. Kjell was born September 16, 1969 in Newcastle, WA where he was raised with his brother, Jan-Erik, next door to their grandparents farm. He loved the speed of downhill skiing, starting when he was 4 years old, and vacationing on Kauai with his family. He played soccer from 5 to 16 years old, until he discovered his first love, football, which he played at Liberty High School as an offensive lineman, number 79, until he graduated in 1988. Next, he attended South Seattle Community College, earning his Associated Degree in Diesel Mechanics. Initially, he repaired diesel trucks for 6 years. The next 20+ years he worked in the tug marine industry as a diesel mechanic and chief engineer, travelling many years aboard tugs through the Caribbean Islands, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the Marshall Islands and through Alaska to the Bering Sea delivering fuel to isolated coastal towns. Besides repairing engines, he taught his younger shipmates about a strong work ethic and how to "suck it up, cupcake." Eventually he became a landlubber again, working on tugs for Kirby Offshore Marine out of Ballard until the company closed its office in October 2020. Kjell moved to Ellensburg, where his parents live, and went from repairing diesel engines to driving them after he received his CDL license, though he couldnt resist tinkering with his trucks on his off time. Anything to do with water and boats was a lifelong passion, including the 5 years he lived aboard his 35-foot boat at Elliot Bay Marina. Fishing was one of his favorite hobbies, wetting a line in Alaska, Mexico, Hawaii, Washington and aboard the tugs, wherever he travelled, whenever he got the chance, loving to share his fishing knowledge (and extensive gear) with anyone wishing to learn. But the biggest love of his life was his bitchin turquois blue, sticker bedecked 1974 CJ5 Jeep, which he built, and rebuilt, from the ground up. He loved four-wheeling with friends in the mountains, crawling from Manastash to Whistling Jacks to Cle Elum and Taneum, stopping on the peaks for blue sky views of mountains and valleys, maybe even hunting for Sasquatch clues, like trees broken in half. He was always up for anything, work or play, not understanding the word "no." He enjoyed watching and studying football (Go Hawks!) and soccer (Go Sounders! Go Reign!), sitting around roaring bonfires with a beer or bourbon, driving his bright red truck, grilling massive steaks, and telling ridiculous stories of all his crazy adventures and ridiculous mishaps. Kjell was generous with his vast mechanical knowledge, welding skills, time and immense strength, always looking for ways to be helpful. His enormous heart and flaming red hair will be missed by all who knew him. Hes survived by his parents, Robin and Sue Peterson; brother, Jan-Erik Peterson, and wife, Jodi; nephew, Coen; and nieces, Kate and Maggie. A celebration of life will be on July 16 at 1:00 at his parents house. If you would like to make donations in his memory, you can do so to the American Heart Association or Childrens Orthopedic Hospital.