(picture) (veteran)

Chris Petersen

Blair native Chris Petersen, 82, of Los Angeles, Calif., died Friday, May 9, 2003.

A memorial service is slated for 10:30 a.m. May 23 at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Westwood, in Los Angeles. Interment will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery, near Denver, Colo.

Chris Petersen was born Dec. 13, 1920, in Blair to Chris and Gertrude Petersen.

He was elected to the Men’s Senior Honorary at the University of Nebraska, and later became an instructor of geopolitics at Washington Lee University.

He served in World War II and the Korean War where, as an Army Captain and commanding officer, he was awarded the Bronze Star for setting up the Armed Forces Radio Network for the Far East.

Mr. Petersen was known as the much beloved and charismatic helmsman of The Petersen Company, one of Hollywood’s most dynamic production companies of the 60s, 70s, and 80s.

His Hollywood film career began in animation production in a small bungalow on the General Services lot, and quickly turned into a full-service, live action studio production during the Golden Age of TV advertising. Petersen studios produced hundreds of top national TV spots, corporate image films, features and TV specials with top ad agencies, heads of industry and major talents. Petersen studio offices, locations and relationships spanned the world.

Mr. Petersen’s film career continued through the late 1980s, until the time he retired to pursue interest in environmental projects. He was a charter member and president of the A.I.C.P. and was a Directors Guild member.

Many in the film business got their start and opportunity with “CP,” who was known for his perpetual smile and undefeatable optimism, sense of humor, master salesmanship, eye for talent, love of fine restaurants, and mentoring relationships. He extended genuine goodness, interest and respect to everyone, from doorman to chairman.

His creed was to bring a discernable sense of difference and understanding in terms of the human equation to all his productions. He was a visionary: able to translate big picture concepts and inspire a culture of collaboration between distinguished clients, best-in-business talents, and studio personnel. His studios ably delivered many first and award-winning programs. The Petersen Company was a “Camelot” of film production.

He is survived by his brother, Donald E. “Bud” Petersen, of Denver, Colo.; sister, Rosemary Lewis of Pueblo, Colo.; sons, Erik Petersen of Los Angeles, and Kurt Petersen of Tucson, Ariz.; and the “loves of his life,” his ex-wives, David City native Marianne Petersen, now of San Francisco, Barbara Sweeney Petersen of San Diego, and Linda Reed Myers Petersen of Colorado. Although no longer legally married, his son, Erik, notes that “they were all on great terms with my Dad, and he continued to love each one.”

He was preceded in death by his parents, Chris J. Petersen Sr., and Gertrude Petersen, and a younger sister, Ladonna Petersen Frey.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice, or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Memorial and Honor Program, (800) 873-6983.

His son, Erik, notes, “Chris Petersen has been a distinguished gentleman, representing a decent upbringing from a special time and place. From hometown to Tinseltown, he maintained a goodness that has inspired all that have known him. God bless you, CP.”