SALINA — Clarence E. “Pete” Peterson, 79, of Salina, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020. He was born June 11, 1941 in Great Bend, to Clarence T.  and J. Elsie (Marsh) Peterson. He married Patricia A. McDowell on Jan. 21, 1961, in Salina. 

Pete was a nationally ranked junior Olympian, hurdler, gymnast, football player, and king of his high school prom. During his long years at Boeing, he helped develop touch-screen technology, the development full-scale flight simulators, and won an award from NASA for his contributions to manned spaceflight. His last job was overseeing the integration of the International Space Station, before his body began to fail him.

He is preceded in death by his parents; infant son, James; sister, Rita Roblyer; half-brother, Rodney Peterson. Survivors include his wife, Pat; children, Jeffrey Peterson (Jill), of Kirkland, Wash., Robin Gebhart (Andrew), of Bellevue, Wash. and Dana Forlano (Christopher), of London, UK; sister, Nita Mohr (Richard), of Great Bend; and seven grandchildren.

Cremation was chosen and a celebration of life will be planned at a later date. Memorials may be made to First Christian Church, Salina, in care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 North Eighth Street, Salina, KS 67401.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Ryan Mortuary 

137 North Eighth Street

Salina, KS 67401

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Sept. 16, 2020