Sigmund Rorgard Petersen

1936 - 2024

Sigmund Petersen, a proud Norwegian-American, passed away on January 24, 2024. Sig was born in Norway on November 22, 1936, living through the occupation of Norway by Germany before emigrating to Everett, Washington in 1948. He graduated from Everett High School (1956) Everett Community College (1958) and Washington State University (1961) with a BS in Civil Engineering. In 1971, he earned a Master's Degree in Marine Affairs from the University of Rhode Island. Sig was proud to have earned enough money as an Everett Herald paperboy to be the first of his family to return to Norway to visit his grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins.

Sig joined NOAA as an ensign out of college and retired 34 years later as a Rear Admiral. He sailed aboard four ships, including Pathfinder and McArthur and as commander of Miller Freeman and Discoverer. Sig served on a variety of national and international projects over the years.

Sig received countless accolades throughout his career. See his Wikipedia page for details. He was appointed by President GW Bush and confirmed by Congress as Director of the NOAA Corps in 1990 and served in that position until his retirement is 1995.

Memories shared by colleagues recall that he was a self effacing leader, quick to defer credit for success to his people, and that he openly shared his passion for NOAA science and the Corps to anyone within earshot.

Sig was a devoted family man whose wife and children followed him to assignments throughout the US mainland and abroad to Hawaii and England. Trips to visit grandparents, siblings, and family were favorites. Sig loved family reunions and being the family story teller. In later years Sig enjoyed gatherings of retired NOAA Corps officers, Seattle Mariner games with his brothers and church choir and fellowship. For more information see https://obituaries.neptunesociety.com/obituaries.

Sig was preceded in death by his parents, Sigmund and Betty (Bergliot) Petersen, his younger brother Marvin, and recently by the death of his wife of 60 years, Rebecca Allbriton Petersen. He leaves four children, Claire Dreyer, Steven Petersen, Sharon Parker, Karen Petersen and granddaughter Ava Petersen. He is also survived by two brothers, Ed Petersen and Barney Petersen. The brothers were very close and loved doing projects, traveling to Norway, and planning events together.

All are welcome to join the family in a celebration of life to be held at the National Nordic Museum, 2655 NW Market Street, Seattle, Washington 98107 at 1:30pm on Sunday March 10,2024.

Sig embraced and supported the mission of Housing Hope. The family encourages memorial gifts in memory of Sigmund Petersen to be directed to Housing Hope, 5830 Evergreen Way, Everett, Washington, 98203.

http://www.housing hope.org.