Simply CremationPhillip L. Petersen
Mr. Phillip Lee Petersen, 63 of Surprise, AZ, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on November 26, 2019, in Sun City, AZ. He was born June 29, 1956, to Alfred and Doris Petersen in Big Spring, TX. He served as Senior Chief Petty Officer Machinist’s Mate in the United States Navy from 1974 to 1993.
His rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer Machinist’s Mate in the Navy was one of his greatest accomplishments, and what he was most proud of. At the time, he was the youngest enlisted member to achieve that rank in the Navy. After leaving the Navy, he began working in the nuclear and power industry, with only a high school diploma. An accomplishment that is completely unheard of even by today’s standards.
Phil was a man who was content with simple things in life and enjoyed making those around him, laugh. He was quick-witted and his sister, Patty, knew that as she was the lucky recipient of all his teasing.
Those who were close to Phil knew that he loved his dogs, he was a fan of Joe Bonamassa and Formula 1 Racing. Phil had a bucket list and one of the items on his list was to go to a Formula 1 race, which he was able to finally do recently, in Austin Texas, thanks to the generosity and love from his co-workers. Phil’s last days were filled with love, laughter, and good memories.
He is survived by his wife Darcy Lynn Petersen, his son Joshua Martindale, his sister Patricia Zajac, daughter Mary Petersen, sons Chase Petersen, Max Petersen, and his grandchildren; Leonard Phillip Garcia, Maximus Jeffrey Frazier, Aiden Lee Petersen, and Amya Petersen. He is preceded in death by his mother, Doris Petersen, father Alfred Petersen, and his two brothers, David Petersen, and Robert Petersen.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday, January 17, 2020, at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, AZ 85024.
“Don’t Cry Because It’s Over, Smile Because It Happened.” – Dr. Suess
Condolences for the family may be left at www.simplycremationaz.com.
You will forever be loved and missed. May you rest in Peace. So sorry Darcy for the loss of your sweet husband. I pray for God to comfort you always. Love you my friend!
Phil worked for me for a while at ABB. While he reported to me, he was never a “subordinate”. Everyone knew he was the most talented, intelligent engineer in our company. In addition, he was a wonderful person, loved and respected by all who knew him.
I met his wife and son only once when I attended their wedding, but you could readily see the open hearted affection of those relationships. I send my condolences because I know the loss of such a big warm presence will be missed so much.
My condolences to his family and friends. He is a kind soul and will be remembered for his sense of life and it’s innate humor. You always brought good music to my ears and a smile to my face that will never fade. Peace be with you.
My deepest sympathies go out to your family. May the love of family and friends comfort you in this time of grief. It has been an honor to serve your family.
I didn’t know you Phil, but my heart is heavy as I know one who does, and will, and who loved you dearly…your sister, my friend, Patty. You come from some wonderful ‘stock bloodline’ so I KNOW you were a character and wonderful person. My condolences to all the family , may you rest in quiet peace with our Lord.
Thanks Dave and you were much more than an attendee at our wedding, you were his best man. That meant a lot to him.
Darcy
I met Phil back in 1968 in Duluth, MN on the Air Force Base where we live, we were both 11 years old. Phil was like my big brother although he was only three months older than I was. Phil grew up less sheltered than I did and as such having him as my friend was a fun experience. We liked to play the pinball machines at the NCO Club and Phil was so amazing at it that later on when the song, “Pinball Wizard”, came out I always thought of Phil when it was playing. Phil could eat a candy bar in one hand and drink a coke with the other and still wrack up 21 games! Amazing! Sometimes I thought the song was written about Phil. We also bowled and went to the movies and would go down to the flight line to see the planes and talk with the pilots. We also rode our bikes off base to go fishing at one of Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes. Those were happy days. Then my family moved and we lost track of each other and I was so sad to lose my friend. Then the most amazing thing happened. In February of 2009, Phil found me on Facebook and we only lived about 27 miles from each other! After that, we tried to get together every few months. It is sad to think Phil is gone. He was a great friend. I feel bad for Darcey and his family and hope they can carry on with fond memories of Phil. Phil was such a great guy. He is with his mom and dad and his two brothers. I’m sure he had quite the homecoming! I am looking forward to attending his Memoria Services to honor Phil, pay my respect and say goodbye – for now, because I know he will be waiting to greet me again one day!
To a great colleague, always be remembered as the greatest collaborator on teaching and passing skills to others. My deepest condolences to his wife and family.
Phil was an amazing, fun loving, easy going brother in law to be around. He was an excellent cook, especially his green bean casserole and home made ice cream which were the perfect compliment to his excellent turkey dinners! He loved his dogs but showed a little extra affection to his black lab buttercup who I am sure met him in heaven with a ball in her mouth. Phil always had way too much patience with me whenever I did silly things, such as running full speed through his screen door! While we were all laughing so hard, Phil calmly got up and fixed it. And the time I turned on the microwave for 20 minutes with nothing in it instead of the timer and it stopped working…..he still never got upset. He was always willing to help me with anything that needed to be done on the computer, even though he was not at all impressed by how little computer knowledge I have, especially when I asked him for email stamps!! I will continue to enjoy my visits to Arizona, but there will always be an empty seat at the dinner table, and on the back patio, and watching T.V, the turkey dinners won’t taste the same, and there won’t be any ice cream to steal out of the freezer. Love you Phil! You will be greatly missed but never forgotten!! Love Kelley
My sincerest condolences to his family and friends. As a coworker of Phil’s during his period working with Bailey-ABB, I had a great admiration and respect for Phil His anthusiasm for life and true desire to help others be the best that they could was contagious. I have thought often of Phil over the years since his departure from ABB always silently wishing him well. Phil and his family will continue to always be in my thoughts and prayers.
May you Rest In Peace my friend…
Respectfully,
Scott Barnhart
To the Petersen Family
Sorry for your loss.
I had the privilege to work with Phil while he was at Baselayer. Even though he didn’t use my product, he always made time to see me. Very nice man!!
With deepest Sympathy
Joseph DeLorenzo
Siemens Digital Industries
Oh, my Brother. We wondered where you’d gone without a trace. Yeah, you and I, both being Navy Chiefs, had a rivalry in the Masonic Lodge in Denver, as we both did our degrees at the same time, doing our best to out-do each other. Remember ham radio Field Day on top of Devil’s Head? Oh, what a time that was. I will never forget your astounding memory, and YOUR sea stories were always better than mine. I’ll let the other guys in “The Dummy Load Society” know of your departure to calmer waters, old friend. One of these days, we’ll see each other again in the Goat Locker…
BRAVO ZULU, Shipmate 73