Neil John Petersen

He was born October 7, 1940, in Waukegan, Illinois, to John Harold and Marie Rose (Himmer) Petersen. He was a graduate of Waukegan High School in 1958. He graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration from Illinois Wesleyn University in 1962 where he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. He married Judith Ann Duncan in 1962 until her passing in 1990. He worked for Abbott Laboratories/Sorenson Research in Distribution and Materials Management for 25 years obtaining the level of Director. Neil reached his goal of Vice President when he joined Computerland in 1988. He retired after several years with Iron Mountain and Qwest.

Neil is survived by his wife Kathryn Geneve (Cornell); son John (Debe) Petersen; daughters Beth (Robert) Bingham and Ann (Peter) Furtado; stepsons Jeremiah (Meranda) Boone and Cornell Boone; stepdaughters Becky (Jason) Middlesworth and Genna (Trace) Thomsen; 13 grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren.

Often referred to by his wife, Kathryn, as an “excellent man,” Neil had many talents and passions. He was an eloquent writer and lover of books, building an impressive library of his own. He enjoyed learning and continued to audit college courses even after retirement in his favorite subject of history. He was an avid collector of such things as stamps, books, coins, casino chips, beer cans, and matchbooks. He took architectural drawing in high school and was known for his unique talent for drawing and style of handwriting. He had a passion for travel and the great outdoors where he would spend time fishing and camping. He logged many miles on road trips, and his wanderlust led him to live in places such as Illinois, Maryland, Utah, California and Texas. He will be remembered most for his sense of humor and infectious laugh, his excitement for adventure and new experiences, and his love of family and friends.

Neil wished to be cremated and forego formal funeral services. His family will be honoring him at a family reunion next summer in Minnesota. The family suggests that memorials may be made to the COPD Foundation, the National Parks Foundation, or the Smithsonian Institution, as those were of importance to him.