Ben Petterson

1928 - 2023

Ben Petterson



Ben J. Petterson of Albuquerque, NM passed away April 1, 2023, at the age of 94 after a short illness. He was born November 12,1928, to Ruth (Deja) Petterson and Ben Petterson in McBride, Michigan. Ben was raised on the family farm in Edmore, Michigan, with two brothers and three sisters. After graduating from Michigan State University with degrees in physics and electrical engineering, he moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1952 where he worked for 47 years as an engineer for Sandia National Laboratories. In 1953, Ben met the love of his life, Eleanor Blasko, originally from Charleroi, PA. They were married for 57 years. Ben took loving care of Ellie for the last 12 years of her life until her passing in 2013. They raised three daughters.

After serving in the Air Force, Ben returned to Sandia Labs where he had numerous adventures and formed strong relationships. He worked on many projects, including developing instruments to measure lightening frequency and charge, wind currents and other data. During the Carter Administration, Ben worked in solar energy, meeting and collaborating with a colorful group of creative inventors in his role in the New Mexico Solar Energy Association. Later, working in robotics, he had the most fun one day at lunch observing the momentum of a swinging pendulum and went on to obtain three patents for his invention of control devices to halt the momentum of robotics arms. After retiring Ben led walking tours at the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History for 25 years. Ben loved the Sandia Mountains, gardening, wildflowers, camping, fishing, river rafting, photography, music, dancing, singing, playing guitar, and his large extended family. He had a wonderful, playful sense of humor.

Ben is predeceased by his mother and father, brother Donald Petterson, brother Bryce Peterson, sister Carroll Doran, and wife Eleanor Petterson. Ben is survived by his girlfirend of 8 years, Beth Pleus; sisters Ethelda Klunder and Ruth Ann Perkins, brother-in-law Dick Klunder, daughter Barbara Petterson, son-in-law David Lee, granddaughter Rosa Petterson, daughter Hillary Malu, grandson Drake Malu and partner Sara Cromyak, daughter Lisa Graff, son-in-law Jimmy Davis, niece Stephanie Eagle, nephew Richard Eagle, and many other nieces and nephews.

Ben and his family appreciated support from Margaret Ratcliffe and Kip Powers and the staff at Sandia Vista Senior Living. Ben spent his final days surrounded by loved family and friends. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

A memorial is planned for June 24, 2023 from 2-4pm at the First Universalist Congregation of Albuquerque. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the organization of your choice in Ben's memory.