Harvey Petersen passed unexpectedly, yet peacefully on July 14 in the loving arms of his wife of 67 years, Joan, and youngest daughter Jodi. He was a proud, lifelong resident of the Central Coast.
Harvey was a fourth-generation Morro Bay native, born to Ella (Stocking) and Hans Petersen. He attended Morro Elementary, Shandon School, and graduated from San Luis High School in 1949. He enrolled at Cal Poly, then left college to join the Air Force. He was stationed at Thousand Palms, CA and then Frankfurt, Germany where he was a Flight Chief on F-84 and F-86 aircraft for the 86th Fighter Interceptor Wing. Harvey had a lifelong love and fascination of aircraft.
After his 4-year stint with the Air Force, Harvey returned to California to work a variety of jobs, including summers fishing with his brother Bob out of Morro Bay. He also continued his undergraduate work at Cal Poly, graduating in 1964 with a degree in mechanical engineering. Being part of the Minuteman Missile program at Vandenberg AFB was a highlight of Harvey’s early career in engineering, but he found long-term commitment at PG&E where he was instrumental in building the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant. Harvey left PG&E in 1977, purchased a fishing boat, the Horizon, and fished commercially for salmon and albacore through the mid ‘80s. He sold the boat and returned to engineering at Trusco Tank in San Luis Obispo.
Harvey first met Joan Propst when they were set up for a blind date by a local sandwich truck owner (an apparent matchmaker) in San Diego. They were married in July 1959, built a house in Morro Bay and soon had their first daughter, Jill. A second daughter, Jodi was born 5 years later. Harvey and Joan retired together in 1994. They took up road biking and were both very involved with the SLO Bike Club. They traveled extensively in the US and Europe on many biking adventures. They also had a collection of friends in Morro Bay known as the T.G.I.F. group. Members of this social group are still gathering today after more than 50 years sharing friendship, food, and stories.
Harvey was intelligent and extremely curious by nature. He had a talent to fix things and would invent unique tools and devices when he needed them. He also had a great love of live music, especially bluegrass. He never missed an opportunity to attend music performances whenever he could.
Harvey always made time to put his family first. He was a very proud poppa who always wanted to tell people about his grandchildren’s adventures. He was thrilled to meet and hold his great grandson, Orson, for the first time just last year. He required frequent updates and pictures of every development.
Harvey and Joan have been living at Casa de Flores in Morro Bay for the past year and a half. Our family is grateful for the loving, supportive care he received there.
Survivors include Joan, daughters Jill (John) Hess and Jodi Petersen; Harvey’s sister, Joan Harradence; grandchildren Lauren (Franklin
Dekker) Hess and Austin (Lizzy Iandoli-Miner) Hess; great grandson Orson Dekker, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Harvey’s life will be held on Sunday, August 30 at 11 a.m. at the Morro Bay Community Center, 1001 Kennedy Way.
