JOHN E. PETERSON

PETERSON JOHN E. PETERSON, M.D. (Age 84) Died August 9, 2013 at his home in Sandbridge Beach, Virginia. His wife, Elfriede, and children were at his side. Dr. Peterson was born in Buffalo, Minnesota on November 26, 1928 to the late Dorothy and I. Emerick Peterson. After graduating with the Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School Class of 1946 and Cornell University Class of 1950, Dr. Peterson took inspiration from his beloved grandfather and Buffalo town doctor, John J. Catlin, M.D., and chose to pursue medicine. After obtaining his medical degree from Cornell University in 1954, he completed his internship and residency at Bellevue Hospital Center in Manhattan, NY, serving as Chief Resident, 2nd Surgical Division, in 1959. His time there is chronicled in William Nolen's 1970 best selling book, "The Making of a Surgeon," in which he is represented by the character Dr. Jack Lesperance. Dr. Peterson was proud to have served as a Captain in the United States Army at Fort Knox from 1960-1962 under the Berry Plan, which required two years of service for physicians. Dr. Peterson established a successful general and peripheral vascular surgical practice in Northern Virginia, and in addition, served as a clinical assistant professor of surgery for Georgetown University. In the mid 1980s, he incorporated ultrasound technology into his practice, an innovative diagnostic tool at that time. He and his wife established the Northern Virginia Noninvasive Diagnostic Vascular Laboratory, the first accredited lab in the area. An accomplished life-long golfer, he grew up on his grandfather's course in Buffalo, and throughout his career, played a weekly golf game with his physician friends. He very much enjoyed sharing the sport with his wife and children. After retirement, Dr. Peterson was quite proud of becoming a certified two and four stroke engine technician, tinkering in his garage with lawnmowers and other small engines. Dr. Peterson always considered his greatest accomplishment, however, to be his children, who will miss terribly his dry wit, wise guidance, and love. Dr. Peterson is survived by his wife of nearly 44 years, and by five children, Deborah Hensley of Belfast, ME, Robert Rocheford of Gainesville, VA, John E. Peterson Jr. of Glen Allen, VA, Kristin Lang of Old Greenwich, CT, and Jason Peterson of Garfield Heights, OH. Dr. Peterson is also survived by his sister Karen Carney of Salisbury, MD and his ten loving grandchildren. At his request, a private family service will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society https://donate.cancer.org or P.O. Box 22718 Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718.