ARLINGTON — Our Savior’s Lutheran Church recently honored choir member Bud Peterson’s for his 65-plus years in the choir.

On Sunday, Sept. 19, church choir members past and present joined Peterson and his wife, Doris (Dip), for a luncheon at the Arlington church to celebrate the time he spent as a baritone with the choir.

“Bud was overwhelmed by all of the attention that was given to him,” said Laureen Breon, director of music for the church.

Peterson, now in his 80s, first joined the Lutheran church choir in his early 20s. His only absence came in the 1940s to serve his country during World War II.

Peterson was often a featured solist, Breon said, and, as recently as 2008, sang a baritone solo in the church’s annual Christmas concert.

A combination of his age and a recent illness have prompted the decision to step down from the choir, she said.

“It is going to be difficult for some in the choir who have sung with him these many years,” said Breon, who has known Peterson for 37 years. “I have never heard an unkind word come out of his mouth.”

Bud and Doris Peterson have been married for more than 60 years and have two sons — Dan and David.