Allan LaMar Petersen

Early in the morning of April 18, 2023, Allan LaMar Petersen passed away peacefully in St. George, Utah where several family members had gathered to spend his final days together with him.

Allan was born in Salt Lake City on May 25, 1931 to Dewey Lind and Violet Stallings Petersen and was the youngest of three children.  His parents instilled within him many life-long traits, including his religious faith, humility, work ethic, integrity, kindness, and good manners. 

Allan discovered sports early in life. He loved basketball, skiing, tennis, and especially golf, which became a life-long passion.  He excelled in athletics at East High School and went on to graduate from the University of Utah with bachelor’s and master’s degrees.  He served in the military during the Korean War and was stationed at Fort Ord, California with other high school and college friends with whom he stayed in touch throughout his life.  As an executive in the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, and later through his consulting practice, Allan Petersen & Associates, Allan’s professional career in higher education led to the establishment of new community colleges in Arizona and throughout California.

It was at the University of Utah where Allan noticed Rose Louise Powers, the prettiest girl in his science class.  They were married on May 18, 1955 in the Salt Lake LDS temple, and together they ventured away from their Utah roots as Allan’s career took them from Salt Lake City to Bisbee, Arizona, and finally to Fair Oaks, California—with children born in every city along the way.  Together they loved and provided for their large family of nine children and created a legacy of faith, doing good, and serving others. When grandchildren came along, Allan and Louise purchased a beach house at Dillon Beach that became and continues to be a gathering place for treasured memories across generations of the Petersen family.

Allan loved Louise throughout their 58 years of life together.  Louise preceded him in death on May 21, 2013.  Allan is survived by children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who loved him, laughed with him, admired him, and were blessed by his life-long example and devotion to them.  He will be dearly missed by sons David (Teri), James (Paula), Michael (Neuci), Christian (Julie), and Joseph; daughters Paige (Scott) Chatterton, Patricia, Brooke (Steve) Sedgwick, and Britt; grandchildren Kirsten (Nick) Evans, Douglas (Allison), Lindsey (Scott) Hannay, John (Alyssa), Amber (Andrew) Kukes, Kyle (Allison), Vanessa (Cameron) Call, Andy (Katelyn), Kayla (McKay) Coffey, Nick (Kaydi), Paul (Kallene), Ryan (Olivia), Kaitlin, Mark (Alyssa), Paige Nicole, Lauren, Kelly, and Ashley; and 35 great-grandchildren who adored their Grandpa Pete.

Allan’s full and purposeful life influenced many for good through genuine friendship, wise counsel, church service, and generous contributions of time and financial resources to those who needed him.  He leaves a legacy of goodness that inspires us all to be better.

Friends and family are invited to attend a funeral service on Friday, April 28, 2023 at 10:00 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (8267 Deseret Ave, Fair Oaks, CA). 

In lieu of flowers, the Petersen family suggests donations be made to the Eddie Lebaron College Scholarship Fund through North Ridge Country Club in Fair Oaks, CA:

North Ridge Country Club
% Eddie LeBaron Scholarship
7600 Madison Avenue, Fair Oaks, CA 95628

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