Peter Kenneth Stevenson

Peter Kenneth Stevenson, CDR RET, US Navy, went to be with Jesus in heaven on August 22, 2014. He was preceded in death by his father Harold Stevenson, mother Katherine Stevenson Stoltman, and sister Kitty Andreas. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Virginia Ann Hanks Stevenson and by his children Catherine Stevenson, Peter K. Stevenson, Jr., Samantha Stevenson and Jessa Watson and by his grandchildren Peter K. Stevenson III and Kristina Kraven and siblings Harold Stevenson, Patricia Martin, June Wristen, Joseph Stoltman, John Stoltman and Arthur Stoltman. Peter was born in Hinsdale, MT, and raised on a working farm in Ellensburg, WA. He graduated from Ellensburg High School (Go Bulldogs!) and attended two years of college before entering the Navy Flight Program. He was commissioned as an officer in March of 1955, and married Virginia on July 23 of the same year. A life-long teacher, Peter thrived on helping others achieve their goals. Whether as a Flight Instructor, as a consultant with ROTC programs, or serving on the boards of private and civic organizations, he made helping his community a priority wherever he lived. Among a multitude of accomplishments in his varied and adventurous 29 year career in the Navy he attended the Naval Post Graduate School where he completed his Bachelors of Science in Engineering Sciences at the same time he was earning his Master's Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in International Relations. His time in the Navy took him around the world, but it was the Naval Post Graduate School and a position on the Administrative Staff there (and the golf courses) that brought him back to Monterey, CA, his last duty station. (Fun Fact: In three different tournaments, Pete shot a hole in one.) Peter had a generous spirit that he shared with family, friends, and strangers alike and he had a way of making friends wherever he went. He was a caring and devoted husband, father, brother, son and grandfather. He was an avid teller of stories, had a mighty sweet tooth, was an accomplished athlete, voracious reader, devotee of golf and loved to wear Hawai'ian shirts year round. Though he rarely spoke of it, Peter received numerous decorations and awards from the Navy for his service to his country. He also enjoyed a successful second career as a New York Life Agent. He was a Veteran of the Vietnam War, and supported several organizations dedicated to helping Veterans returning home from combat. A Celebration of Life gathering will be held at Sanctuary Bible Church, where Peter was a member, on October 11th, 11:00 AM, 8340 Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel, CA 93923. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations be made in Peter's name to K9s for Warriors www.k9sforwarriors.org or the Monterey County chapter of Child Evangelism Fellowship, P. O. Box 869, Monterey, CA 93942. Arrangements entrusted to Mission Mortuary, Monterey. Please visit www.missionmortuary.com to offer condolences.