Ronald Walter Petersen was born in Walton, New York on July 6, 1937 and joined his mother Ruth and father Glenn in heaven on August 18, 2018.

He attended Walton High school and while still in high school earned his pilot's license before getting his driver's license. After high school he attended Airframe and Powerplant school in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. He met Nelly Beierle in 1958 and they were married a year later July 4, 1959. He flew a Piper Super cub to Alaska in 1959 from Lock Haven, Pa. to Anchorage, Alaska,and in 1961 he flew another super cub to Alaska with Nelly from the Piper factory. Ron later went to work for Safeway Airways and Cordova Airlines until they merged to become what is now Alaska Airlines. He flew as a Commercial pilot as well as being an Airframe and Powerplant mechanic for the company until forced to choose to be a pilot or mechanic. He chose to remain a mechanic and worked for Alaska Airlines from 1962 to 2000 when he retired.

Ron was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved being in the outdoors and often took his family in the super cub and later Cessna 180 fishing and hunting. After retirement Ron and Nelly enjoyed traveling in their 5th wheel travel trailer around the United States going to Alabama, Kentucky, and Arkansas listening to music at concerts and visiting family. Ron loved listening to the southern gospel quartets. Driving down the highway or listening to a concert in person Ron loved his music.

He is proceeded in heaven by his parent Glenn and Ruth Petersen, and survived by his loving wife Nelly Petersen, Sisters Loretta Babcock and brother in law Dale Babcock, Charlene Covington and brother in law Gary Covington, sons Eric Petersen, daughter- in- law Selena Petersen and Brian Petersen and daughter- in- law Kitty Petersen, granddaughters Jennifer Hurley, Jackie Donahue, Shenderlee Petersen and Rebecca Petersen, great granddaughters Bailey, Harper, Olivia, and Abigale, and great grandson Titan as well as many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to call on Tuesday, August 28, 2018 from 11AM to 12Noon at the New Hope Community Church, 45 Stockton Avenue, Walton where services will be held at 12:00 Noon. Burial will follow in the Walton Cemetery.