Dr. Emil "Pete" Warn Peterson

Emil “Pete” Warn Peterson died of natural causes in his home on Aug. 25, 2024, Hilton Head Island, S.C. He was 92.

Dr. Peterson was born on February 7, 1932, in Battle Creek, Mich., to his parents, Albert Edson Peterson and Esther Virginia (Pearson) Peterson. He graduated from Emmanuel Missionary College (now Andrews University) with a B.A. in chemistry in 1953, from Loma Linda University with an M.S. in biochemistry in 1954, and from Loma Linda University with an M.D. in 1958. He completed a residency in pathology at Indiana University Medical Center in 1963.

Dr. Peterson served in the U.S. Air Force from 1956 until 1992, retiring with the rank of colonel.

In 1970, Dr. Peterson joined the pathology group at Kettering Medical Center in Kettering, Ohio, where he served as director of clinical pathology and taught in the pathology residency program and the School of Medical Technology. While at Kettering, he served on the board of the Community Blood Center from 1975 to 1994. He was interim medical director of the blood center from 1993 to 1994. He was the medical director of Kettering from 1984 to 1996. 

Dr. Peterson married his first wife, Janeth Mae (Scanlon) Peterson, on Mar. 6, 1955. She passed away Nov. 27, 2012. He married Barbara Camille (Cain) Ellison Peterson on Feb. 7, 2016. Dr. Peterson is survived by his wife, Barbara Peterson, of Hilton Head, S.C.; his daughter, Lynn Ellen Peterson, of Bluffton, S.C.; his sisters, Ann Herrin, and Mary Helen McKearn; two grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Paul Warn Peterson.

In accordance with his wishes, his remains will be cremated, and there will be no funeral service.