Dale Peterson, longtime associate dean of student affairs, has informed Dean Greg Sterling that he is taking early retirement to remain in Virginia and care for his elderly mother.
Peterson has been on leave for the past year to tend to his ailing sister in the final days of her life, and to continue to provide the care to his mother that his now-deceased sister had been providing.
“Dale has now decided to take an early retirement and to remain in Virginia to continue caring for his mother,” Sterling said in an email to the YDS community. “This has been a difficult decision for Dale. He loves this community and the people here. At the same time, he recognizes the fundamental obligation of ‘honor your father and mother’ and feels the need to provide that care where his mother is known and loved.”
An ordained minister in the American Baptist Church, Peterson began working at Yale in 1988 as Baptist chaplain. He has served as associate dean at YDS since 2000.
“We are deeply indebted to Dale for providing 24/7 service to this community,” Sterling said. “To say that we will miss Dale is inadequate. He has a special place in our hearts and we wish him the very best. This will always be his home.”
A national search for Peterson’s successor will soon begin. Audrey West, acting associate dean, will continue to serve in the position in the meantime.
An event to honor Peterson will be held at YDS when his schedule will permit it. Alumni and other members of the YDS community will be informed when those plans are settled.