Pehr Hugo Pehrsson

Captain Pehr Hugo Pehrsson, Jr. (93) joined our heavenly Father on October 19, 2020 at The Fairfax in Ft. Belvoir, Virginia. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 58 years, Geraldine (Gerry) RS Pehrsson, and his sister Elaine St. John and brother Wallace Pehrsson. He is survived by his daughter Pamela R Pehrsson, husband Russ Dickerson, son Pehr E Pehrsson, wife Susan R Pehrsson, daughter Kirsten P Abusamra, husband Joe Abusamra, all in the Washington DC area, and his sister-in-law Marcia Pehrsson and her daughters Stav, Jean and Sara. Pehr is also survived by seven grandchildren – Erica, Kelsey, Sarah, Emily, Nathan, Rachel and Ian, all of whom adored him. Pehr Jr. was born in Moline, IL on March 10, 1927 to Pehr H Pehrsson, Sr. and Hannah Pehrsson. He started public school in Moline, but the family moved to St. Louis, MO in 1932. Senior was employed by Shell Oil Co, and the family moved to Des Moines, IA in 1936. They moved again to Minneapolis, MN in 1938. Junior graduated from Roosevelt HS in Minneapolis in 1944, and enlisted in the Navy. He was ordered to report to the V-12 officer training program at Marquette University in Milwaukee, transferred to the NROTC program in 1946, and graduated from Marquette in 1947. He was commissioned an ensign in the drilling Naval Reserve. He thereafter enrolled in graduate school at the University of Minnesota, and received an MA in economics in 1949. He then taught at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD until recalled to active duty in the Navy in January 1951. During the next 24 years he served on surface warships, and commanded USS Eaton (DDSlO) and USS Shreveport (LPD12). Ashore, he served at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and at Headquarters Allied Forces Mediterranean in Malta. Later, he was assigned to the office of the CNO and to the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Washington DC. He retired as the US naval attaché to Mexico and Central America in 1975. In retirement, he worked as a consultant in amphibious logistics for several firms, and retired from SAIC in 1998. Pehr and his young family lived all over the states and in Malta as part of his Naval tour of duty. He was keen on family camping, canoeing and all kinds of activities that would encourage memorable experiences and develop character. He was a talented artist and loved to paint desert scenes in oil paint. Pehr and Gerry were accomplished dancers, having won dance contests as a young couple – and carried that love of dance and big band music well into their golden years. He was an avid fixer and inventor, even building humane traps for backyard squirrels. Although he transported them elsewhere, they often managed to return to his backyard to say hello! In fact, he had a soft spot for all animals and was always delighted to dog-sit (and spoil) family pets. Pehr was a true patriot, having served his country in the Navy and again as a contractor for the Department of Defense. His loyalty to country, a solid economy and the value of hard work was what he lived by. He was modest about his many accomplishments, including many awards and recognitions during his military career. He was a man of faith and very active in his church. He also loved his German language club, the American Goethe Society. Above all, he was devoted to his family. His love and jovial presence will be missed beyond words. Donations to the Semper Fi & America’s Fund (https://semperfifund.org/) are suggested in lieu of flowers. Captain Pehrsson will be interred with full military honors at the Arlington National Cemetery in early 2021.