Rand K. Peterson

Spartanburg, SC.

Rand Kent Peterson was born on August 2, 1956, in Whitefish, Montana, to Don and Dorothy Peterson.

Rand passed away in Spartanburg, South Carolina, on May 30, 2026, from complications of Parkinson’s Disease.

Rand was the fourth “Petekid” of the family and was later joined by two more siblings. As the child of a high school teacher and basketball coach and a talented mother, Rand was destined to excel in both academics and athletics. He graduated from Laurel High School in Laurel, Montana, in 1974, earning high academic honors and All-State basketball awards. He graduated from Miles Community College, Bemidji State University, and Louisiana Tech, earning his bachelor’s degree and MBA. Rand’s education led him to Furman University in South Carolina and USC Upstate as a finance professor. He joined the banking industry in South Carolina, specializing in residential construction lending, rising to the title of Executive Vice President before retiring due to health issues.

Rand married Vicki Sterling of Miles City, Montana, in 1982, and they settled in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where daughters Miranda and Jamie were born. He dearly loved his daughters and coached them in athletics and guided them through life’s many challenges. Daughter Miranda and son-in-law Eric Harton live nearby in Marion, North Carolina, with daughters Sky and Sage and have another little girl on the way. Jamie, a professor and PhD, and her husband Stefan Gloor and son Pete live abroad and are also expecting a baby boy this summer. Rand and Vicki are proud grandparents to Sky, Sage and Pete, spending as much time as possible with them, adventuring in Europe every year and touring the many historical and recreational sites in the Carolinas. He loved to reward special people with his famous two dollar bills, was a master trivia player in his community, read all things historical and told the best dad jokes.

As an avid collector of important things, Rand saved baseball cards and postage stamps. He taught himself to read at the age of four, and, when he started elementary school, he only spent a few weeks in first grade and soon advanced into second grade. At the age of 16, Rand worked at Yellowstone National Park using a “borrowed” ID, eventually becoming a staff manager, worked in the high school laundry, sold Fuller Brush products door to door, and honed his basketball skills every day by playing against more talented college players, including Karl Malone.

Rand was a highly regarded member of the Spartanburg community and had many friends from his church, the community of Summit Hills, and his many South Carolina acquaintances, many of whom visited him in the hospital recently. Rand’s recent health challenges included severe rheumatoid arthritis, kidney cancer, atrial fibrillation and Parkinson’s Disease with its complications. He was a fighter to the end, a strong and loving man, and a devout Christian. He was an active member of Skylyn Drive Presbyterian Church where he served on the church Session and as an Elder. During his many years of service to the Spartanburg community, he served on multiple boards for charitable organizations, volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and volunteered for too many fundraisers to mention. Rand was also a member of the Spartanburg Homebuilders Association and he volunteered for the Spartanburg Board of Assessment Appeals. He was also an active member of the Piedmont Sertoma Club of Spartanburg.

Rand is survived by his loving wife Vicki, daughter Miranda (Eric Harton), granddaughters Sky and Sage, daughter Jamie (Stefan Gloor) and grandson Pete, two grandchildren due this summer, brothers Ric (Cindy) of Lancaster, TX, Lon (Debbie) of Park City, MT, and Rolf (Molly) of Laramie, WY, sisters Dee Baxter of Laurel, MT, and Lori Valgardson (Mark) of Mount Vernon, WA, aunts Phyllis Mackey of Libby, MT and Sharon Olsen (Ron) of Billings, MT, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews throughout the country. Rand was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Dorothy Peterson, his Peterson and Eide grandparents, brother-in-law Bob Baxter, numerous Peterson family aunts and uncles, and his special uncle Noel (Butch) Eide.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 17, 2027, at 1:30 p.m. at Skylyn Drive Presbyterian Church with Pastor Matt Richardson officiating. Any memorials can be directed to Skylyn Drive Presbyterian Church, 1801 Skylyn Drive, Spartanburg, SC 29307 (Women’s ministries).

Harris-Nadeau Mortuary & Crematory

Chesnee, SC.