Curtis “Curt” Dean Peterson was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Jan. 29, 1947. He had an older sister Cynthia Peterson, and a younger brother James Peterson.

At the age of 6, Curt and his family moved from Minneapolis to Pasadena, California, and later to Arcadia, California. He graduated from Arcadia High School in 1965.

Curt met his wife Martha “Martie” Peterson in college. After dating for two years they were married in Pasadena. He often spoke of the excitement he felt on that day to marry his bride Martie, and his deep devotion to her was evident throughout his life.

Curt and Martie were married for 55 years, and were blessed with three wonderful sons.

Some of Curt’s most treasured memories were made in the wilderness. He loved camping with his family, a tradition the family kept up every year. His boys recall countless hours sitting by the campfire with their father, fishing, hiking, and experiencing God’s creation together.

Curt earned his BA in philosophy from UCLA in 1969, a Master of Divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in 1972, He was ordained by the Covenant in 1974.

Curt responded to God’s call into pastoral ministry from 1973-80, Curt was a church planter in the St. Louis area. In 1980, he was called to Montecito Covenant Church in Santa Barbara, where he served as senior pastor until 2003.

During Curt’s 23 years in Santa Barbara, his heart for worldwide service led him on learning and teaching trips to Alaska, Mexico, Colombia, Lithuania, Thailand, China, Spain, Germany, and the Czech Republic.

In 2003, Curt was elected executive minister of world mission for the Evangelical Covenant Church, moving with Martie to Chicago to lead global mission initiatives; expand child sponsorship in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in partnership with World Vision; and establish new theological and relief partnerships around the globe until his 2023 retirement.

Curt then moved back to his home community Santa Barbara into the Samarkand Covenant Living retirement community with Martie.

They began to attend Montecito Covenant, where he was named pastor emeritus, and quickly settled back into Santa Barbara with family and lifelong friends.

Those who knew Curt would describe him as a quiet and masterful listener. Whether you were sitting next to him at the baseball field, at a family dinner, or on a hike in the deep woods, Curt was always listening and building relationships.

He acted with justice, mercy and compassion towards others.

Following his diagnosis with stage 4 renal carcinoma in August 2022, Curt managed his health while remaining active until his cancer aggressively returned after a trip to Peru, ultimately leading to his passing in Santa Barbara on Aug. 10, 2026, surrounded by family.

Throughout his later years, he embraced life by playing golf, cycling and pickleball, while staying deeply involved with his community and cherished time supporting his grandchildren at their sporting events, recitals, and everyday moments.

He is survived by his devoted wife; three sons and their wives, Erik and Christina, Nils and Kate, Jonathan and Stacy; and their 11 children; sister Cindy and brother Jim (Fina).

He is preceded in death by his parents Harold and Lucille; and his grandson Drake William Peterson, son of Jonathan and Stacy.

Curt is remembered today as “authentic, humble, wise, pastoral, inclusive, empowering, warm and compassionate.”

His legacy will live on through generations of individuals around the globe, because of his faith and his remarkable humanitarian efforts at home and abroad.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12 at Montecito Covenant Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent in Curt’s honor to Serve Globally at The Evangelical Covenant Church, Mission Advancement; or to The Drake William Peterson Foundation.