Quentin Petersen
March 10, 1924 — November 9, 2009
Dr. Quentin Richard Petersen was born into a family of Danish immigrants on March 10, 1924 and left us on November 9, 2009 after living with Type I diabetes for over 62 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, his dear brother Bertram, and sweet sister Flora. He is survived by his loving wife Peggy, with whom he shared 63 wonderful years of marriage. Theirs was a true love story that ended while they held hands. He is also survived by his son Bardo and his wife Tracey, daughter Jan Haynie and son in law Ken Haynie, 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Dr. Petersen was always an advocate for those less fortunate and a true inspiration to those seeking higher education. As a lifetime educator he received his BS degree in Chemistry from Antioch College and his PHD from Northwestern University. During his 47 years teaching in higher education he lived an exciting life and had the pleasure of working with young students throughout the United States at universities in Spain, India, Taiwan and New Zealand while on various sabbaticals doing his favorite thing, research. He enjoyed every opportunity along the way finally settling in at Central Michigan University for the last 26 years of his career. The capstone of his career was in research including Steroids, Asymmetric Synthesis, CR (IV) Oxidation and Spiropyran Polymers and Imaging. Upon retiring to South Texas he found great pleasure in the people and culture of Corpus Christi and San Antonio. He served honorably in WWII as a navigator and bombardier on B-24s. He was shot down over the Ploesti oil fields, captured in Greece, and spent nine months as a POW. He received several accolades during his service and earned a Purple Heart. Known for his sense of humor and kind heart he shared a contagious enthusiasm for life. Spending much of his time helping those less fortunate and always quick to laugh and sing. His favorite saying was Its a full life and his was as full as ones life can get. Uncle Quenty, Q.R., Pops, Grampo, Dr. P., regardless of what we called him hell be forever loved and forever missed as he lives in our hearts eternally. The family extends a personal thank you to the loving care he received from Vista Care hospice and in particular to our dear family friend and caregiver, Lucy Goana. Each morning when he awakened, Mr. Petersen would ask, Is Lucy here? The family held a private memoriam and asks that in lieu of flowers any donations be made to The Schertz Library at 798 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas 78154.
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