Peter Arntsen

MANCHESTER — Peter Arntsen, 87, of Manchester, died peacefully on Saturday, June 20, 2009 after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. He was the beloved husband of Margot Petra (Nilsen) for 55 years.

He was born in Hvaler, Norway on Oct. 23,1921, the son of the late Arnt Peter and Helene Oleane (Helgesen). He is survived by his son, Tom Arntsen and wife Susan reside in Manchester with their children Alexandra, Erik, Christian, Lars and Ella; his daughter, Carol Shaw and her husband John live in Manchester with their children Cameron, Amber, Jack and Peter; his son, John Arntsen and wife Kimberly live in Manchester with their children Emily and Anna. He is also survived by his sister, Jorunn Svendsen in Fredrikstad, Norway, and is predeceased by his two brothers, Helge and Gunnar of Norway.

Peter and Margot immigrated to Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1956 and became United States citizens in 1964. They moved to Manchester in 1964. Peter worked at Westinghouse Research Center in Pittsburgh from 1962 to 1964; and was a Senior Engineering Scientist at the RCA Corporation in Burlington from 1964 to 1989. Peter was a Registered Professional Engineer. He was awarded patents and was an accomplished engineer in radio, television and defense electronics. Notably, he was one of the many engineers who contributed to the success of the Apollo Lunar Missions. Peter was a man of many skills including masonry and carpentry. He hand built most of the home in which he and Margot raised their children. Peter was an inquisitive man who studied throughout his lifetime and thoroughly enjoyed his personal library. Peter enjoyed sailing, cross country skiing and his eleven grandchildren. He will be fondly remembered and honored by his family.

ARRANGEMENTS: His funeral service will be held in the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Masconomo Street, Manchester, on Friday, June 26, at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. The burial will be private. Visiting hours in the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington St., Gloucester are on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his name to Hospice of the North Shore Inc., 75 Sylvan St., Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923.