Dr. Clifford Carl Petersen, 89, died July 19, 2007 at home in Phoenix. The beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather was a charter member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church 56th St. and Indian School Road where he tirelessly worked to preserve the church archives as well as serving for some 50 years in numerous other capacities.
As a young child, he exhibited strong interests in electronics. He pursued those interests throughout his life working first at Illinois Institute of Technology until 1954 when he accepted the position of Asst. Chief Engineer, Reliability at Motorola in Phoenix. He earned his Doctor of Engineering Degree at Arizona State University in 1970 and left Motorola in 1971 to teach Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, becoming a Full Professor in 1980. He retired Professor Emeritus from Purdue in June, 1986.
He married Margaret McKibbon, October 25, 1941 and was shipped overseas in January 1942 where he served our country valiantly in World War II stationed in New Caledonia and Guadal Canal. Major Petersen earned the Bronze Star for valor in providing his troops with extraordinary accurate maps he developed that enabled his battalion to deliver close and accurate fire in support of infantry in their attacks.
His wife Margaret died after more than 41 years of marriage and shortly thereafter he married Rose Marie Durdik and spent 20 years of ideal marriage combining foreign travel with their activities at Prince of Peace. Rose Marie died July 1, 2006.
He will be remembered for his love of his family, his courage in battle, his intellect and ability to share that knowledge with his students and his deep and abiding faith in his Savior.
Viewing will be held Tuesday, July 24, from 9:30-10:30 A.M. in the Narthex at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 3641 N. 56th St., Phoenix, AZ. The funeral service will proceed at 10:30 A.M. followed by a light luncheon. Graveside services will follow the luncheon.
He is survived by: Sons; Phillip and Daniel, daughters; Patti, Lisa and Jeannine, granddaughters; Kassia, Meghan, Ashley, Rachel and Amanda, great-granddaughter; Quinn, great-grandson; Kaiden and sisters; Gloria and Alice.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Hospice of the Valley and/or Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.
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