John Walter Peterson

Madison-John W. Peterson, age 64, died Thursday, April 9, 2009. John was born on August 20, 1944 in Lynn, Massachusetts, the son of Richard W. and Eleanor C. Peterson. He attended primary schools in Lynn, Massachusetts, and Long Island, N.Y. before graduating from Reading Memorial High School in Reading, Massachusetts in 1962. John graduated from Dartmouth College in 1966 with a degree in Economics and obtained two Masters degrees in International Relations, from Salve Regina College, Newport, R.I.  and The Naval War College. John started his 30- year Navy career as a carrier pilot, flying A4s, A7s and FA18s. While stationed at NAS Cecil Field in Jacksonville, Florida he served as the Commanding Officer of VA-46, VFA 106 and of Light Attack Wing One. As the Commanding Officer of VFA 106, John also helped train the Blue Angels during their transition from A7 jets to FA18s. He continued his career as the Executive Officer on board the ship USS Saratoga.   Promoted to Captain, he became the Commanding Officer of the USS St. Louis in Sasebo, Japan.   John was then the Group Commander of Amphibious Group Three out of San Diego, during which time he coordinated and participated in the Navy landings in Somalia, alongside the Marines. John ended his Naval career as the Commanding Officer of the NROTC Unit at UW-Madison. After retirement from the Navy, he was an Assistant Dean at the UW-Madison Law School, before beginning his job at UW-Madison Division of Information Technology, where he was the Director of System Engineering and Operations. John's civic and community service was broad. He served on the Vestry and was the Senior Warden at St. Andrews Episcopal Church for three years. He was a member of the Madison Breakfast Rotary and served as its president at one time. He was also a member of the Frauchi Group. John felt strongly about volunteer work and was active in the Meals on Wheels program for Rotary and his church. He 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. John was preceded in death by his parents and older brother, Dick. A gathering will be held 4:00 -- 6:00 PM on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison. A memorial service will be held  1:00 PM on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 1833 Regent Street, Madison. Donations may be made to St. Andrews Episcopal Church or to the Dane County Humane Society.  
Cress Funeral & Cremation Service