Barbara Louise Peterson
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Barbara Louise Peterson, 69, of Lee’s Summit, Missouri passed away May 20, 2019. Memorial services will be held at 2:00pm, Sunday, June 9th, 2019 at Black Archives of Mid America, Kansas City, Missouri. Mrs. Peterson was born October 2, 1949 in Newport News, Virginia.
Visits: 8
While I and our team do not know Barbara, we know the person she was through the wonderful charisma, smile, drive and intelligence of her son Toussaint. We have been honored to work with Toussaint for the last couple of years. All the best to you and your family Toussaint as you celebrate the life of your mother.
Chris and The Mob
Here are some memories of Barbra Peterson from people at EPA. Barb started working EPA when the agency was only 9 years old. There was a lot to do in those early days. She worked for the Agency for 38 years. She was a wonderful attorney and colleague. She will be missed.
From David Cozad, Regional Counsel: Barb was a long-standing member of the Office of Regional Counsel, having been employed here from 1979 until 2017. For the majority of her time at EPA, Barb worked on Superfund matters, with some of her accomplishments including her assistance on the R7 dioxin cases toward the start of her career, with more recent successes including the clean-up of the Chemical Commodities Superfund site. Barb graduated from North Carolina Central University with a B.A. in English and received her J.D. from Vanderbilt University School of Law, where among the honors she received was Best Oralist in the school’s Moot Court Competition. I sat in the cube next to Barb when I started at EPA, and she was very kind to me. She helped me immensely. She was a valued member of our office for a very long time, and I always appreciated her sharp intellect and generous nature. And I loved her laugh.
From Howard Bunch, Attorney: I certainly loved her around the office, but I got to know her best when, my wife, Gail was showing her homes and we would stop for a bite or go out to hear music. She was always funny and gracious at the same time. She served us the best glass of cold homemade sweet tea I ever had. And she was passionate about politics and justice and what was right or wrong. We went to see Robert Kennedy Jr. speak on environmental issues together and were both inspired, together. Her departure is a sad loss to us all.
From Yolanda Holden, Attorney: Though less vocal around the office, she was quite vocal in the community. I appreciate her passion and know that it will be missed in and around Kansas City. What I can say about Barb is that she REALLY enjoyed spending fun time with family and friends. She was always hosting some sort of event, be it holiday gatherings, mystery dinners, an Oscar night party, and most recently this past winter a grandmother-to-be baby shower (twin girls). Barb was definitely energetic and joyful to be around. There is one thing that Barb left with me… FIBBAGE! It’s this digital family game that I was introduced to at one of her gatherings and had so much fun playing it that I bought it for my family. And now my husband, kids, mom, dad, brothers, and in-laws all love getting together to play it. You should try it! Here’s to Barb… a great life indeed.
From Ray Bosch, Attorney: I first met Barbara in the mid-1980s when as a young lawyer in the private sector, my firm represented a rural fire department that had provided standby security at a Superfund site. My client was seeking recovery of its costs from the PRP in a private legal action, and I wasn’t sure how to do it. Hey, the Superfund Law was only 5 years old at the time! Barbara met with me at the old EPA R7 building at 11th and Oak, in Downtown KCMO to go over the documents that I requested. Several years later when I took a job a EPA, I remembered Barb right away because she had been so polite and easy to deal with during our earlier meeting. It was clear Barbara enjoyed working as an EPA attorney. She believed in the Superfund work she did. Among the cases she resolved was the Aidex case, which is one of the early, groundbreaking cases on Superfund liability for polluters that arrange for disposal of hazardous substances. Also, she worked for years on the Chemical Commodities, Inc. case in Olathe. Many EPA attorneys have toured that site – now redeveloped into beautiful pollinator garden – to show what can be possible. Barb relayed to me once that the responsible person at the CCI site was very recalcitrant and the EPA pursued him endlessly, but regardless, she bore him no personal ill will. Once he wrote her a nice note when Barb’s husband died and the two even exchanged Christmas cards on occasion. This is a testament to Barb’s kindness and professionalism. Also, despite the fact that she had been eligible for retirement for a number of years, she wrestled with the idea of actually doing so for quite some time. Barbara was a dignified lady with a calm demeanor, LOTS of varied interests and an interesting sense of humor. A great life for sure.
From Jane Kloeckner, Attorney: Barbara Peterson was one of the best lawyers at EPA because she was always calm, collected, poised, articulate, and she knew the law. She always asked the best questions! I never heard her say a harsh or unkind word about others, not even opposing counsel. She was humble too, although her accomplishments were many. Her work contributed to establishing important legal precedents and the cleanup of the CCI Superfund Site, Olathe, KS, which is now in reuse a pollinator garden, educational center. See https://semspub.epa.gov/work/07/30244586.pdf
One of my favorite memories of Barb was when we took a business trip to Colorado to learn about Sustainability and the government back in 2005, or so. We had to share a room for a week with bunk beds. She let me have the top bunk. The training was intense and challenging, very long days and evening meetings. At some point, I was exhausted. Barb was so calm the whole time, never a feather ruffled even though some of the ideas were difficult and the instructors were influential. Barbra Peterson was a great example of how to remain calm in all circumstances. Barbara also taught me about Environmental Justice. Toward the end of her career at EPA, she transitioned her legal responsibilities for this broad and emerging body of law to me. We worked closely on a number of EJ assignments for a few years. I could not have asked for a more patient or kinder teacher than Barb. The Office of Regional Counsel and all the people in EPA who knew her will miss her so much!
From Susan Klien, Environmental Specialist: I knew her as a gracious colleague who was always encouraging.
I worked with Barbara at U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. She was a mentor and a friend. She loved to serve the people. As a public servant, she used to ask us to join her in volunteering for different community projects in the Kansas City areas. She worked to improve our lives and our environment. She believed a good children education is a fundamental element for a better society. Her leadership and dedication to public service are exemplary. She will be missed.
To the Wright and Peterson Family – sending condolences from the Perry family from Aberdeen, Hampton, VA. May God comfort you in your time of need.
Barbara was a real sweetheart. We shared home room together at HHS. May her family find peace in the precious memories of Barbara!