Malcolm Wilkins Petersen

Malcolm Wilkins Petersen Malcolm Wilkins Petersen died from cardiovascular complications at the Spring Village Assisted Living facility in Grants Pass Oregon, on Wednesday, October 27, 2010. He was 91. Mal or Pete (as his friends called him) was born in San Francisco on January 18, 1919 to Raymond and Marie Petersen, and grew up in the City of San Francisco which was still busy rebuilding from the devastating 1906 earthquake and fires which consumed much of the city. He often talked about his childhood playing up and down the San Francisco streets, exploring in and around the Presidio, and watching the neighborhood boys play sand-lot ball in a parking lot near Fisherman’s Wharf; a few of these boys would later become well known as the DiMaggio brothers, Vince, Joe, and Dominic. After high school Mal’s parents bought an 800 acre ranch just north of Healdsburg California, in the Dry Creek Area, and there Mal helped his father manage “The Canyon” while Mal worked for the California Prune and Apricot Growers Association in Healdsburg. On the morning of December 7th 1942 he and his wife were sitting in their car near the bay in San Francisco watching the sun rise when news of the attack on Pearl Harbor came on the radio. He joined the U.S. Navy on January 5, 1942, less than a month after the attack. His initial active duty was in Naval Intelligence in the South Pacific. Mal’s Navy career spanned over 27 years, with just over 20 years of active service including time in WWII, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam Theater. While in the Navy, Mal exhibited many talents. The two talents he excelled at were his ability to fix almost anything mechanical, and his ability to speak foreign languages. With his linguist abilities, the Navy made him a Cryptology Technician “I” Brancher. His was assigned to various commands around the world as a linguist both on land and at sea. One of his favorite collateral duties was manager of Base Hobby Shop at Adak Alaska. During the height of the Cold War the Navy assigned Mal to the U.S. Army Language School in Monterey where he graduated as a Russian linguist in May 1961. Russian was just one of the five languages he spoke fluently. From 1961 until his retirement in 1969, he continued his linguistic duties as a Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Crypto Technician with the National Security Group, one of the predecessors of the NSA. During Mal’s Navy career he was married five times and is survived by his fourth wife, Nancy, and by his five sons, one daughter, nine grand children and great-grand children. Surviving children are Michael Petersen from Fairfax CA, Chris Petersen from Healdsburg CA, Martha “Mimi” Miller from Grants Pass OR, Graf Petersen from Hayfork CA, Kyle Petersen from Happy Camp CA, and Erik Petersen from Rocklin CA. Mal loved the sea and everything about it. After his retirement from the Navy, Mal moved from Puerto Rico to New Port Richey on Florida’s west coast, where he took up building and sailing sail boats. During 2004, four hurricanes made landfall in Florida, two of which went through central Florida (Hurricane Alex and Jeanne). These two storms caused extensive damage to Mal’s apartment, which was a sign it was time to return to his roots, the U.S. west coast, this time to live with his daughter and son-in-law in Grants Pass Oregon. While living in the Grants Pass area, Mal’s moved to two independent retirement facilities, The Bridge, and finally to Spring Meadows. Mal loved to read and listen to classical music and normally was found at the center of a group, telling his stories about the Navy, his sailing exploits, and his life’s experiences. He wasn’t one to mince words when it came to his beliefs in politics, religion or the social issues of the day, but he always had a soft spot for the things he loved; beautiful women, good music, a very dry martini, good sea food, and of course, his family…his sons, daughter, and grand kids. He was a simple man willing to stop and enjoy the beauty of an unusual flower, insect, or a rock and could recite information about such things as if he as a seasoned naturalist. His mind was as sharp as his wit and you’d often find him laughing at himself. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. A private viewing for family and friends will be held at Stephens Family Chapel, 1629 Williams Hwy, Grants Pass Oregon from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., on November 13, 2010, with a memorial celebration of Mal’s life to follow at starting at 2:30 p.m. in the Orchard Room at Springs Meadow Retirement Community & Cottages, 1357 Redwood Circle, Grants Pass Oregon. By his request, Malcolm will receive the honors of a full burial-at-sea ceremony conducted by the U.S. Navy. The date, time, and location of this his ceremony is unknown at this time. The Navy will supply the family with a video and/or photos of Malcolm’s burial-at-sea ceremony.