tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19039943.post7946652929350274125..comments2024-03-28T11:13:13.748-04:00Comments on THE BLOG: JUDGE TOM PETERSEN HAS PASSED AWAY Rumpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08380575650255695462noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19039943.post-49550491167617961422023-09-24T10:54:23.378-04:002023-09-24T10:54:23.378-04:00I was a close friend of Tom Petersen and live in N...I was a close friend of Tom Petersen and live in New York City and we share the same birthday. In trying to reach him as we did traditionally on our 9/17 birthdays, I learned he had passed away. What a remarkable compassionate man Tom was and a close friend also of my brother Anthony and I am also trying to reach Irene. If anyone sees this belated condolence plz contact me - I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you. God bless you dearest friend Tom and all you did for humanity. Suzanne Vlamis -- svlamis13@gmail.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19039943.post-56247709287988721202023-02-28T08:33:33.419-05:002023-02-28T08:33:33.419-05:00The legendary Judge Petersen was a man with a hear...The legendary Judge Petersen was a man with a heart of gold, an incredible sense of humor and a brilliant mind. He used everything he had to fight social injustice. In his personal life, he retired from Senior Status to spend more time with his wife Irene, who was the love of his life. Always trying to make a difference in the lives of others, he took a few civil cases pro-bono to help the cashier at a local supermarket, a retired state worker who was swindled of her life savings, and on and on went the list of acts of kindness. <br /><br />Petersen's currency was love and respect. He enjoyed the simple, yet meaningful things: small gatherings with friends, his cats, reading, watching movies, uber eats and loving Irene. <br />Rest in peace Judge, there will never be anyone else like you. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19039943.post-1092048262765072652023-02-27T14:23:27.937-05:002023-02-27T14:23:27.937-05:00I am still heartbroken over his passing. One of th...I am still heartbroken over his passing. One of the best human beings, period. The world seems a little sadder without him.Woody R. Clermontnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19039943.post-4335580854839929182023-02-24T03:14:34.476-05:002023-02-24T03:14:34.476-05:00When I first became an attorney I appeared before ...When I first became an attorney I appeared before Judge Peterson often. He always struck me as a thoroughly decent human being. It seems he struck everybody the same way. Life is a fleeting thing but the legacy we leave can be enduring and an inspiration to others. Judge Peterson will be remembered fondly by hundreds of people who were fortunate to know him.Myles Rauchernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19039943.post-34074009996912977982023-02-18T15:35:07.740-05:002023-02-18T15:35:07.740-05:00Thank you, Rumpole, for publishing the full obitua...Thank you, Rumpole, for publishing the full obituary story by Carol Marbin Miller about Tom Petersen. <br />I worked with him in my years as an ASA in the late 70s. He stood nearly alone in recognizing that not everyone who smoked weed should go to jail, or even have a conviction on his/her record. This led to his founding of the PTI program in Miami which has no doubt saved the butts of many young people who later went on to live useful, even distinguished, lives, free of the criminal record which can sharply limit, even snuff out, ambitious live plans. It is not really possible to overestimate the value of Tom's advocacy in this regard. <br /> Because I am writing anonymously, and he has passed, I will add that Tom was a longtime active member of Alcoholics Anonymous, in which he accepted his own addiction, stayed on a path to recovery, and provided real help to other alcoholics, as a regular member of at least one home group, as a sponsor, and as a warm and caring friend. <br />There is no doubt at all that Tom's memory will be for a blessing. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19039943.post-70501207967805862582023-02-16T19:31:46.851-05:002023-02-16T19:31:46.851-05:00I'm very saddened to hear about Judge Peterson...I'm very saddened to hear about Judge Peterson's passing. I met him when he was one of my professors at the University of Miami. I was a criminology major and he was my professor for several of my classes. After several semesters, I spoke to him about wanting to go to law school. He said he would write a letter of recommendation for me. I was so honored and spoke to some of my attorney friends about him. Everyone said nothing but nice things about him. He was a caring professor and his passion for the law came through with each class. Once I became an attorney, I ran into to Judge Peterson in the cafeteria on the 1st floor. I quickly ran up to him to say hello and we had a little chat. He was loved by my classmates and respected by all of his colleagues. May he rest in peace and thank you for all your contributions to our legal system. Karen Ruiznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19039943.post-79150327838042867632023-02-16T18:04:34.446-05:002023-02-16T18:04:34.446-05:00Even in retirement, Tom was always helping people....Even in retirement, Tom was always helping people. What a pleasure it was to have known him.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19039943.post-8895630399745549752023-02-16T14:57:44.279-05:002023-02-16T14:57:44.279-05:00Yes Ted. We seem to only have the ability to leave...Yes Ted. We seem to only have the ability to leave the world a hotter place than we found it Rumpolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08380575650255695462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19039943.post-29168281425458953182023-02-16T11:41:58.359-05:002023-02-16T11:41:58.359-05:00He was incredible with his dedication to children’...He was incredible with his dedication to children’s issues in court. So was Judge Seymour Gelber, Judge Michael Hanzman and Judge Gladstone. Legends. Heroes. Made a difference. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19039943.post-24835331782167892252023-02-16T08:07:03.741-05:002023-02-16T08:07:03.741-05:00I often mention how sad it is that no one ever cre...I often mention how sad it is that no one ever created a Hall of Fame for those giants who have walked the Halls of now REG. Tom Peterson is one person who earned a spot in the Hall. He was the creator of Pretrial Intervention back in the 70's. Thousands of people and maybe tens of thousands can thank him for their successful encounter with the criminal justice system in a system not known for being user friendly. Always warm and friendly Tom always had time to stop and chat. He will be missed. A great man and better human being who gave so much to those less fortunate, Tom was part of an idealistic generation tempered by John F. Kennedy in the early 60's who actually made a difference. Somewhere along the way we lost that passion and zeal to make the world a better place than we found it.Theodore Mastoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17739369898788566429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19039943.post-24185597437137998992023-02-15T18:32:33.163-05:002023-02-15T18:32:33.163-05:00I just plane loved him.I just plane loved him.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19039943.post-40898355132523424452023-02-15T18:30:33.119-05:002023-02-15T18:30:33.119-05:00Not only a remarkable man but also such a kind and...Not only a remarkable man but also such a kind and compassionate one as wellAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19039943.post-69304363603511553912023-02-15T16:34:29.112-05:002023-02-15T16:34:29.112-05:00The man knew every inch of Miami Dade county. In a...The man knew every inch of Miami Dade county. In a misdemeanor bond hearing, he’d be reading an A Form for some bullshit disorderly intox and look up at the defendant.<br /><br />“you live at 6829 SW 141st street?”<br /><br />Defendant would nod yes.<br /><br />“That Burger King still at the corner?” Judge Peterson would ask?<br /><br />Then he’d warn the guy about being drunk in public and dismiss the case.<br /><br />Class act. Old school. Will be missed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com