Jerry R. Peterson, most recently of Lancaster PA, passed away at Lancaster General Hospital at 1:58 PM on Friday, June 3rd.
Born in Oregon in 1936, he was raised in Klamath Falls and Medford. The first in his family to graduate from college, he obtained an engineering degree from Oregon State University in 1958. His undergraduate academic success earned him fellowships to Columbia University where he was awarded a Master’s and a PhD in Chemical Engineering. While a graduate student, he married and is survived by Shirley Marace Neely Lynch of Medford, Oregon, his wife of 57 years.
During his almost 35-year career in research and development at the General Electric Company, he contributed to propulsion, alternative energy, nuclear power and space efforts in Cincinnati, Ohio, San Jose California, Schenectady, New York and King of Prussia, PA.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Shirley, brother Tom, his children Kerstin and Jon, daughter-in-law Kristin and granddaughters Kelsy, Lauren and Devin Peterson. He is predeceased by his sister Lynn Kersten and son-in-law Vito Diana.
Oh, Shirley, I’m so sorry, I didn’t know that he was sick, if he was. Oddly, my husband Dan died Feb. 16 of this year suddenly, so I am also a new widow. Please come back to Medford if you can for a visit. Will write or email you soon.
Dear Shirley,
I think of you often, and miss our time together. I was saddened to read of Jerry’s death, and hope that having your children close has been comforting. and will continue so, long into the future. I will remember Jerry in your Wayne living room, watching the birds at the feeder.
Rosemary
Dear Shirley, I am sorry to hear of your loss. WE miss you at Main Line Quilters. I wish you the best of everything. Warmly, Nancy Rose
Hello, Shirley,
So sorry to read of Jerry’s passing in yesterday’s Inquirer. We hope your move to Lancaster was one that made you both happy, and that your days ahead are filled with your family and happy memories.
Katherine &Bob
Beautiful obituary–we’ll sure miss Jerry.