Captain Richard Anthony Peters USN (Ret)

Captain Richard Anthony Peters USN (Ret) "Pete," call sign Toro, passed away 3 May 2025. He was born 12 May 1933 in Reynoldsville, NY. At twelve he fell in love with flying after exploring a B-26 Maruader returning from WWII. He attended the University of Rochester on a NROTC scholarship, captaining the swim team his senior year. He was commissioned into the Navy in 1955 and went onto flight training. He flew for the Navy for twenty plus years in various planes but notably accrued 3300 hours in the F8 Crusader with 926 carrier landings and 327 combat missions. His top medals were in order of precedence; Defense Superior Service Medal; Legion of Merit Medal; Distinguished Flying Cross; Bronze Star; 18 Air Medals; and 3 Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals with Combat V. After a devastating deployment on the USS Oriskany he and a handful of other pilots were assigned to the Replacement Air Group (RAG) at NAS Miramar, and were tasked with developing a curriculum to bring US fighters back to air superiority and thus the beginnings of Top Gun was formed. He was a 1967 graduate of the Armed Forces Staff College and of the U.S. Naval War College in 1973. Then he returned to the Fleet and served as Air Boss on the USS Forrestal where he led the carrier qualifications for the F-14 Tomcat; his unit received the E for Fleet Excellence. His last tour was teaching in the Strategy Dept. at the U.S. Naval War College. He retired from the Navy after serving a 28-year career.

His next 28-year career was in real estate where he worked for Kirby Real Estate in Newport RI. He later bought into Prudential Prime which later became Berkshire Hathaway. He was honored as Real Estate Agent of the Year for RI in 1990 for his work bringing MLS multiple listing service to the state.

In 1965 Pete married Antoinette Catlett. They were married for 55 years and had two sons Richard Anthony "Tony" Peters Jr. and Jason Mallory Peters. He is survived by both sons; Jason's wife Ingrid Hattendorf Peters and their daughters Hazel and Olivia; his brother Daniel Peters and family; and sister Janice Peters and family.

In Newport Pete became an avid sailor. He was a Commodore of the Naval Yacht Club at Coasters Harbor Island and later joined Ida Lewis Yacht Club where he also served as Commodore. He served as the head of the building Committee for the Potter League animal shelter, serving as the owner's rep as they navigated building their state of the art first in RI Gold LEED certified building. Pete enjoyed traveling and a good conversation. "Gumpa" you will be missed. Fair winds and following seas.

Visiting Hours will be held on Friday, May 16, 2025, from 4:00-7:00 PM in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, RI.

Burial services at the RI Veterans Cemetery will be announced in June 2025.