Neville Edward Peterman Obituary (1943 - 2017)

Neville Edward Peterman December 6, 1943 - April 18, 2017 Salt Lake City- Coaching legend passes. Neville Edward Peterman, age 73, passed away after a long battle with deteriorating health. This coaching icon spent 31 years as a coach and special education teacher at Bonneville High School then, later, Roy High School. He began his coaching career in 1972 with a guarantee to bring Bonneville High its first state title in track and field within five years. He did it in three years. He also led the Lakers to a state championship in cross-country in 1978 after a runner-up in 1977. In 1989, Neville returned to coaching at Roy High School, joining head coach Mike Hein as they led the Royals to the 1991 State Track and Field Title. Many of his athletes and teams still have times listed on the Utah State High School Activities Association all time bests. He considered championing the participation of women in athletics as one of his greatest achievements, and proudly spoke about it even during the days prior to his death. During his time, he led men's and women's teams to many Region 1 titles, coaching numerous All-State and All-American athletes along the way. Perhaps his greatest coaching achievement was seeing two of his athletes participate in the Olympics, Ed Eyestone as a marathoner in 1988 and 1992, and Billy Schuffenhaur as a silver medalist in the Bobsled during the 2002 Winter Games. Many of his athletes followed in his footsteps as coaches at the high school and university levels. Neville was more than a coach of great athletes. He was a leader who trained any athlete or student to be better than they ever thought they could be. It mattered not if the athlete was the fastest or strongest, he cared equally for all of his athletes and students, and that is what endeared him to his kids. He ran day in and day out until complications from a back surgery in 1995 began his health problems. Born on December 6, 1943, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Neville starred in baseball, hockey, and distance running. He was the number three-ranked distance runner in Western Canada in high school. He served in the Royal Canadian Navy during the Cuban Missile Crisis before immigrating to the United States to run cross-country and track for Weber State College. He earned the honor of Male Scholar for the Physical Education Department in 1972. He was born into the Anglican Church in Canada and received his last rites before passing. He was a longtime member of Alcoholics Anonymous. He is survived by his son, Michael Paul Peterman of Huntsville, Alabama, Colonel, U.S. Army Retired; his daughter, Amy Marie Cristelli of Bothel, Washington; and his son, Timothy Neville Peterman currently posted to Hawaii, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army. He has six grandchildren, with one additional due in June. His father, Edward Raymond Peterman, and mother, Frances Palmer Peterman precede his death. He also leaves behind his sisters Frances, Marsha, Susan, and brothers, Clark and Donald, all of Canada. We invite former students, friends, colleagues, and athletes to a Memorial Celebration at the Roy High School Track on Monday, April 24, 2017 at 6:00 p.m., 2150 West 4800 South, Roy, Utah. Services entrusted to Myers Roy Mortuary. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.myers-mortuary.com. Memorial ServicesRoy High School 2150 West 4800 South Roy, UT 84067 April 24, 2017 6:00 PM