Dr. Dave Peters was born in Danville, Pennsylvania, but spent his formative years in South Dakota. He developed a deep fascination with aquatic life, particularly fish. Dave embarked on an academic journey that would shape his future as a prominent fish biologist. He attended Utah State University, where he completed his undergraduate studies in Fish Biology. He honed his understanding of fish ecosystems. Dave continued his graduate education at North Carolina State University in Raleigh. While working towards his graduate degrees, he worked for the U.S. Forestry Service in Idaho and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in his home state, South Dakota. In 1969, Dave came to the Beaufort Laboratory, a renowned research facility specializing in marine sciences. At the Beaufort Lab, Dave focused his efforts on researching various aspects of fish biology, particularly the growth of larval and juvenile fish. His expertise extended to the investigation of the feeding habits of menhaden, a critical species in the U.S. East Coast ecosystems. Moreover, Dave delved into exploring how the growth rates of juvenile fish differed in varying habitats, shedding light on the delicate balance between marine life and its environment. One of Dave's most significant contributions during his time at the Beaufort Laboratory was his collaboration with Bill Schaaf in developing extensive food web studies of U.S. East Coast fishes. Their groundbreaking research unveiled the intricate relationships between different fish species, unlocking essential knowledge for sustainable fisheries management and ecosystem preservation. Dave retired from the Beaufort Laboratory in 2000.