Ernie (Ernest Clare) Peterson MD

Ernie (Ernest Clare Peterson MD) was born in Portland, Oregon on July 29, 1947 to Clare and Harriet Peterson. He died in Seattle, Washington on July 16, 2025. After 10 years he lost his battle with cancer. He fought hard, endured much but didn’t let that stop him from living and embracing life. His family will miss him. He was curious, brave, responsible and kind.

At the age of 12 Ernie began a 65-year love affair with golf. He loved the history and challenge of the game. Throw in being out in nature with good friends and it was ecstasy.

At age 16 in London, he read his first Charles Dickens’ novel Pickwick Papers and loved it. He subsequently read and loved all Dickens’ books. In 2002 he discovered groups of people with this same passion. This was the cherry on top of his Dickens’ sundae.

In college in Minnesota every night he found an empty classroom where he’d settle in for hours of study. This habit continued for 4 years and allowed him to excel in academics. He loved to learn.

After completing his medical training Ernie worked as a surgeon for a year and a half in American Samoa, 2,200 miles southwest of Hawaii. Upon returning to the US, he took a job at The Boise VA Medical Center where he stayed for 30 years. For close to 15 years, he was their chief of surgery. Two of his fellow surgeons described him as an exceptional surgeon who was a thinker, a planner, talented and careful with every patient and their surgery. He enjoyed serving the people of American Samoa and the veterans.

The most valuable thing his sons Brian and Eric and his wife Cindy received from Ernie was his ability to make them all feel special, valued, unique and important. He spent time learning what each of them deemed important.  This is a skill that few possess or spend much of their time doing.

For the past 10 years Ernie’s health and body were a wreck in countless ways. He endured so much all day everyday but he also relished so much: a good book, a good or bad golf game, an opportunity to figure something out or learn, and a warm human touch. Brian. Eric and Cindy are glad and grateful he took the mantle to fight cancer and old age.

The last 10 years they didn’t travel much but Ernie took them on his cancer journey and they wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

Family was important to Ernie. He loved them all and they loved him. He is survived by his wife Cindy Peterson - his sons Brian Estes-Peterson and Eric Ambrose - his 3 sisters: Mae Orendorff (Gary), Sue Post (Barry) and Mary Sauerbrey (Mark) -his 2 brothers-in-law Harn Cordua (Kathy) and Chris Cordua (Peg) -12 nieces and nephews and 13 extended nieces and nephews.

Advice From Ernie

Be curious! Don’t wait to love and live! Remember everyone has a story worth hearing! Give to the charity of our choice! If you’re eating a hot dog, some ice cream, some chocolate or a maple bar say, “This one’s for you, Ernie.” He loved them too.

Ernie’s Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2025 @ 10:00am at the King of Glory Lutheran Church, 3430 N Maple Grove Rd., Maple Grove and Ustick, Boise 83704