ST. GEORGE — Death rang down the final curtain Monday, Dec. 1, 2003, on Robert Peterson, a well-known actor and musical performer locally and in New York City. He died Monday morning playing handball at his home in St. George.
His oldest son, Scott, said his father was in his third game of the morning when he was stricken at about 11 a.m. Attempts to resuscitate him on the court failed, and he was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. He was 72.
Mr. Peterson was born Jan. 13, 1932, in Omaha, Neb., was raised in Salt Lake City and attended the Juilliard School of Music, New York City, on a scholarship.
Mr. Peterson began his career in 1953 playing in the Utah Summer Festival. He got his break when, as understudy, he replaced Robert Goulet as Lancelot in the Broadway production of "Camelot" in 1961. In 1962 he took over the Lancelot role on Broadway and in 1963-64 toured the country with the national company of "Camelot."
While touring with "Camelot," he was hailed by critics as having the finest baritone voice in the country.
On television, Mr. Peterson appeared in numerous musical productions, including "Kiss Me Kate" and "Meet Me in St. Louis" as well as dramatic productions on several shows.
After his long run in "Camelot," Mr. Peterson toured the United States in his own two-man show, "From Broadway with Love," and with a madrigal quintet known as the Abbey Singers.
He was well known locally for his portrayals of the title role in the opera "Don Giovanni" and Don Quixote in the musical "Man of La Mancha" at the University of Utah's Kingsbury Hall, Pioneer Memorial Theatre and the Utah Shakespearean Festival. "Man of La Mancha" was the first play in Pioneer Theatre history to be held over.
Charles Morey, a longtime friend and director of Mr. Peterson, said Monday night, "It's a very sad moment for all of us at this theater.
"Because his performances in the early years attracted serious audiences, a lot of us have said this is the house that Bob built."
"He was one of the most gracious human beings I've ever known," Morey said. "He was generous and always a pleasure to work with. I directed him in 'Man of La Mancha' and no one did that role better than Bob. At an age when he could have rested on his laurels, he continued to grow and learn as an actor and that was a joy to see. He will be sorely missed."
Chris Lino, managing director of PTC, praised Mr. Peterson's professional qualities. "He was not only the biggest star we've ever had on our stage, but the greatest gentleman. It was always a pleasure to have him in a show because he set an example for everyone."
For many years, Mr. Peterson taught at the University of Utah and appeared in productions there.
While in New York, Mr. Peterson sang under the batons of famous conductors including Dimitri Metropoulos, Fritz Riener, Leonard Bernstein, Robert Kraft and Arnold Gamson.
In 1968, Mr. Peterson and his wife, Lois, moved their family temporarily to Salt Lake City where he put on a two-man show at the Valley Music Hall and starred in the LDS Church production of "Promised Valley." In the early 1970s, he and Lois were getting tired of New York City and felt Salt Lake City would be a better place to raise their family.
Mr. Peterson was actively performing until he suffered a stroke two months ago. He was preparing for another season with Pioneer Theatre Company when he had the stroke, Scott Peterson said.
The Petersons moved to St. George two years ago, and Mr. Peterson planned to continue performing with the Utah Shakespeare Company. "He planned to continue performing as long as he could," Scott Peterson said.
In an interview with the Deseret Morning News earlier this year, Mr. Peterson said he had a greater career in music and theater than he could have ever have hoped or dreamed. "I wouldn't change anything. I've been able to make a living doing what I loved."
Mr. Peterson once told his family, including his six children, that when his time came, he would prefer to die either on the stage or playing handball, Scott Peterson said. "He played handball regularly. He died doing what he loved."
Funeral arrangements have not been announced yet, but the family expects to have the funeral Saturday in St. George.