John W. Peterson

John W. Peterson, age 64, died Thursday, April 9, 2009.

John entered Dartmouth from Reading Memorial High School in Reading, Massachusetts. After graduation from Dartmouth in 1966 with a degree in Economics, John obtained two Masters degrees in International Relations, from Salve Regina College, Newport, R.I., and The Naval War College.

John was a 30-year career Navy veteran having served as a carrier pilot, and also as trainer for the Navy Blue Angels. He served as the Commanding Officer of the USS St. Louis, and he coordinated and participated in the Navy landings in Somalia. He finished his Navy career as the Commanding Officer of the NROTC unit at UW-Madison.

John felt strongly about volunteer work and was active in the Meals on Wheels program for Rotary and his church. His civic and community service included serving on the Vestry and as the Senior Warden at St. Andrews Episcopal Church for three years. He was also a member of the Madison Breakfast Rotary and served as its president at one time, and was active in the Meals on Wheels program.

John is survived by his wife, Kristen and his children Eric (wife, Amanda) of Brandon, FL; Jeffrey of Brandon, Florida; Alex of Portland, Oregon; and Meredith (husband, Aaron Landerville) of Brandon, Florida; as well as his grandchildren, Graham, Ellen and Abigail Peterson. He is also survived by his brother, Brian (wife, Christy) of West Peabody, Massachusetts.