Ralph R. Peterson, who was to retire next month at age 65 as chairman of CH2M Hill Cos. after building the former regional engineering firm into a $6.5-billion diversified global construction competitor, died Sept. 1 from stomach cancer. He had battled it for several years.
“I will miss his intellect, his ability to deal with complex issues and his desire to help others succeed,” says Lee A. McIntire, a former Bechtel Corp. executive who succeeded Peterson this year as president and CEO. “He was an industry icon.”