Kay Peterson

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Few here would know who Kay Peterson was but she was one of the most influential people in the RV world. She has just passed away at age 90.

Kay and her husband, Joe (who passed away a few years ago) were fulltime RVers who travelled with their family while he, an electrician, sought work around the country. In 1978, they founded Escapees (no connection to Escape trailers.). It was originally for fulltimers but now has many who simply like to camp.

Escapees has chapters all over the country and some outside. They also own some RV parks and have the largest mail business for RVers.

Just since we joined a few years ago, they apparently have added at least 25,000 more members. The children were running Escapees but now grandchildren seem to be doing much of it.

We do have some people here who are members and even some who use the Escapees Livingston, Texas address as their home address. Escapees also has set-ups for that in Florida and South Dakota, those being the three friendliest states for fulltimers. There are a few Escape owners who fulltime and benefit from the Escapees magazine or forum, but no need to be a fulltimer to find much useful information from that group.

[Donna D.]

I was sorry to hear of Kay's passing. "A Life Well Lived." Pretty much sums it up.

"Joe and Kay were inducted into the MH/RV Hall of Fame in 2001, in recognition of their support of the RVing community. They were honored again in 2010, when RV Business magazine included them in the 100 most influential people in the RV industry for their work in RV advocacy, support services and fostering a sense of community among RVers."

I'm on the list to get a site in a couple of the Escapee Parks. Winter in the sun, Summer in the cool. And I'll have this opportunity because two people saw a growing need for community among early RVers.