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Richard Petersen Obituary
October 9, 1934 - June 18, 2022
La Jolla
Richard H. "Pete" Petersen, 87, of La Jolla, California, and more recently Greenville, South Carolina, passed away on June 18, 2022 in Greenville due to complications arising from a fractured hip. He was born October 9, 1934, in Quincy, Illinois, to the late Herman Heise Petersen and Nancy Getty Petersen. On August 15, 1959, Pete married the love of his life, Jody Shenk, of San Francisco.
Pete grew up playing golf and basketball, caddying at Milwaukee Country Club, and building and flying balsa wood airplane models. In 1956, Pete graduated with highest distinction from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering, followed immediately by a year at California Institute of Technology (Cal Tech), receiving a Masters degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He had been in the US Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) while at Purdue and was commissioned as an Air Force officer in 1956. The Air Force called him to active duty upon graduation from Cal Tech, and assigned him to NASA (then, National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics) Ames Research Center in Sunnyvale, California as a Research Engineer. Several years later, he completed his Air Force obligation and became a NASA employee.
Most of Pete's early career at NASA was focused on theoretical and experimental aerodynamics, particularly in the supersonic and hypersonic speed ranges. At NASA Ames, he was doing what he loved, working with other brilliant men and women to advance the field of Aerodynamics. His projects included the Mercury capsule, the XB-70 Valkyrie Mach 3 bomber, and other novel research and development programs. In the mid-60s, as computing became more embedded into Aerodynamic research, Pete directed computer studies of advanced aircraft including hypersonic transports, air-breathing launch vehicles, short takeoff and landing transports, and general aviation aircraft.
Pete rose through various leadership positions at NASA Ames, including Branch Chief and later Aeronautics Division Chief. In 1980, he and Jody moved the family cross-country to Williamsburg, Virginia, where Pete served as Deputy Center Director at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, eventually serving as Langley Center Director from 1985 to 1991. Pete finished his NASA career at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. as Associate Administrator for the Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology (OAST). He retired from NASA in 1993, after 36 years of dedicated service.
Pete graduated as a Sloan Executive Fellow from the Stanford Graduate School of Business in 1973. Among his many professional honors are the Reed Aeronautics Award from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), AIAA Fellow, a Distinguished Presidential Rank Award, a NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, National Academy of Engineering Director Emeritus, and honorary doctorates from Purdue University, George Washington University, and the College of William & Mary.
Moving back to California in 1999, Pete and Jody enjoyed the spectacular beauty of La Jolla and played golf regularly as members of La Jolla Country Club. Pete was dedicated to giving back to society and expanding God's kingdom by expressing Christly love for his fellow citizens. He was a big brother with Big Brothers of America and was active with Reality Changers, using his vast technical knowledge to mentor aspiring engineering students. He was an ardent supporter of Doctors Without Borders and Hillsdale College.
Despite a distinguished and exemplary professional career, Pete's true passion was family; his family always came first. He was a devoted and committed husband of 62 years, and an equally devoted parent, grandfather, teacher, Little League coach, mentor, and faithful disciple. He taught his children by example that raising a family is a high calling that demands great sacrifice, extraordinary courage, and deep levels of patience. He planted and nurtured the seeds of love, faith, commitment, and destiny in the hearts of his beloved family.
Pete is survived by his wife Jody, his son, Eric Petersen (wife, Mechel) of Eagle, Idaho, his daughter, Kristin Dinkel (husband, Duane) of Simpsonville, South Carolina, and four grandchildren, Sam Dinkel, Will Dinkel, Zoe Dinkel, and Jack Petersen.
A small celebration of life for immediate family will be held in Greenville August 6, 2022.
Please sign the guest book online at legacy.com/obituaries/ lajollalight
Memories and Condolences
for Richard Petersen
12 Entries
Beverly Lusty Hendricver
October 18, 2023
I met Dick in 4th grade at Bartlett Ave. elementary school and we´re we were friends throughout our years at Bartlett and Riverside High School in Milwaukee, WI. I have to say that we knew each other as kids, not adults, so I never knew the man. I can talk about him as a kid. He was the smartest boy in the class. He was good in math and everything else he cared about. One of our mothers thought it was a good idea for the two of us to learn ballroom dancing in 8th grade, so each Saturday morning, for months, one of our mothers would drive us downtown to a studio to learn steps and how not to stomp all over each other´s feet. Dickie, as he was known then, turned out to be a very good dancer. It probably helped him become the basketball star, one of the top players in the city who lead our team to the city championship in `52.
We graduated from high school in 1952 and he went to Purdue to study engineering and I went to UW, Milwaukee to become a teacher.
At our class´s 10 year reunion, Dick and his wife and most of the Bartlett kids were there. I never got the chance to meet his wife or talk to him, and I´m truly sorry about that.
I was shocked to find his obit and I send my belated sympathy to his wife and family. I am deeply saddened, but hold very good memories of him.
Meredith & Sandy Elder
March 3, 2023
We are just now learning of Pete's passing, and are so sorry to hear this, Jody. We know you will miss him greatly. We always smile when we look back at photos of your being our first visitors to our house outside of Vienna, and our lovely dinner at the Strandcafe on the Alte Donau. We are so grateful for your many years of supporting our ministry.
Steve Wraith
October 21, 2022
Thanks for the wonderful memories Mr. Petersen. Spending time at your home with Mrs. Petersen and my pals Eric and Kristin was a special time in my life. Thank you for always making me feel welcome and for always being a positive influence. Your family has always been family to me. A big hug to you, Mr. Petersen, and all the Petersen and Shenk clan.
Thomas Clark
August 7, 2022
Dear Jody and family, Just learned of Pete's passing. Pete was the up most class act I had the pleasure of knowing. And he is now with God. May God be with all of you. Your friend. Tom and Tricia Clark
Becki Etess
July 11, 2022
Hello dear Jody, I was sorry to hear of your loss of Pete -- you two have been so special to La Jolla and to San Diego ARCS these last years. In addition I had the opportunity to play bridge with Pete last fall at the La Jolla Community Center -- what a fine gentleman he was and what a gift he was to our U.S. aerospace programs. Best wishes to you and your family,
Becki Etess
bruce and tina mccullough
July 9, 2022
Pete was like a big brother to me; always encouraging me to do more to help others. One of my fond memories of him was both of us playing in a golf tournament. He had just turned 70 and he thought he could win the long drive competition and to everyone's surprise he did ! He was my close Christian Brother and I look forward to seeing him again. We love your family Pete !
Joseph Stickle
July 8, 2022
Pete was fine gentleman and a good worker. We served together at Langley where he was both my boss and good friend.
Dorie DeFranco
July 6, 2022
Dear Jody,
Sorry for your loss. I have fond memories of both of you, and our days on the BTNA board together, and neighborhood social events.
In sympathy,
Dorie DeFranco
Carrington Kujawa
July 6, 2022
My uncle was such a special man to me. He always gave a big hug and was always so interested in my life and crazy ideas. He was encouraging and loving as an uncle. I especially loved his laugh and his deep voice. He will so missed. Love to you all. So proud to have had him so close in my life.
Geoffrey Tennille
July 2, 2022
I was saddened to hear about Pete's passing. I was the President of the Langley Activities Association through much of Pete's tenure as Center Director. He was a staunch supporter of employee activities. I remember when he called me one day and said that he wanted me to come over to his office. When I arrived he told me that he had bad news. The upcoming August LAA Carnival was going to be the last because the City of Hampton had co-legal jurisdiction over the Center with the Federal Government, so we could not run a casino. He had arranged with the City that we could do one last Carnival since it was just a couple of weeks away. He closed with "Geoff, I didn't want to see you and Frankie carted off in handcuff by the Hampton police." Frankie was our bookkeeper. He could easily have delegated the task of breaking the bad news to a subordinate and summarily cancelled the upcoming Carnival - but that wasn't his style. I always appreciated that gesture.
Bobby Berrier
July 2, 2022
Worked with Pete many years at Langley. While I was the local AIAA Hampton Roads Section Chairman, Pete was a member of the Section Council and together we initiated the "Futures in Aerospace" scholarship fund for graduating H.S. seniors who were accepted into a college aerospace science major. This fund has since provided many thousands of dollars to many outstanding aerospace students. Pete was a fun and caring person. My condolences to his family.
Ed Prior
July 2, 2022
I worked with Pete at NASA Langley when he was Director and Deputy Director of the Center and I was an assistant to the Chief Scientist. He was a good friend and an able Director and my sympathy to his entire family.
Showing 1 - 12 of 12 results
Memorial Events
for Richard Petersen
Aug
6
Celebration of Life
in Greenville
CA
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