Rodney L. Petersen Obituary (1934 - 2022)

Rodney (Rod) Petersen Obituary Born In Los Angeles, California May 6, 1934 to Lawrence Henry Petersen and Irene Mae Pierson at St. Vincent's hospital while his Father was getting his master's at USC, hence he's an SC fan for life. Rod had a younger sister named Rae Irene Petersen with whom he was very close until she passed away too soon at the age of 10 from Hodgkins Lymphoma. Rod and his family Lived in San Diego as child where he went to Mission Beach Elementary for 4 years then moved to Imperial Valley for a dry climate for the family (around 1945). He later attended Harding Elementary, Wilson Junior High School and Central Union High School graduating in 1953. He was a member of the CUHS varsity baseball team as a starting pitcher. His parents sent him to New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology to be a petroleum engineer. He spent a single glorious semester there before transferring to Harbor Tech Junior College, to continue playing baseball and occasionally going to school. While at Harbor, he beat the frosh team from UCLA in a key game. He was a legend in his own mind and played into the late 1950's. During this time, he had stars in his eyes with a dream of being in television. He partnered with his friend Regis Philbin at KCOP channel 13. He used to claim that Regis was shy and needed a wingman, a role Rod was more than content to fill, being quite the social butterfly. Seeing his future was not down that path, he returned to his mother in San Diego and began attending San Diego City Junior College to resume his baseball career and occasional studies. While attending San Diego City college he became interested in investing and interned at a local brokerage where he started a long love of investments and the stock market. He received his Associates degree from San Diego City College, and went onto receive his BA in Education from San Diego State University in 1966. He received his Masters in Educational Psychology from University of San Diego in 1970. He was a special education teacher for 29 years at various schools in the El Centro School District. His students would commonly approach him years later telling him and his family what an impact he had on them. He truly cared for his students. He married Margery Boaden now Margery Petersen in 1967. They were true love birds and were married for 55 years. He had two daughters, April Hale (Edward) and Riisa Mandel (Matt). He had seven grandchildren including Dylan Hale (Soner), Saige Hale, Austin Hale, Westin Hale, Madison Hale, Ciaran Mandel, and Finnegan Mandel. He and Margery have one great child on the way due in February, Isla Rae Vasquez, daughter of Saige Hale and Alan Vasquez and named in honor of his deceased sister, Rae. He is also survived by his beloved pet kitties. Rod's true love in life was his family. He was often seen at his grandchildren's sports games and events, cheering for the Brawley Wildcats even though he bled Spartan blue and white. Rod was bit by the travel bug and adventured all over the world. He went to England, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Russia, Poland, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Hungary, Romania, the Ukraine, Mexico, the Caribbean, and went on countless Cruises. Rod lit up any room he was in, and would always make friends with everyone in it. He was a hilarious man and would often crack jokes. Anyone who knew him loved him. He had no enemies. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 30th, 2022. Rod's final wishes were that in the event of his death, his family and friends would throw a huge party and tell stories of his life as he was so thankful for the wonderful life he led. His celebration of life will be held at Stockman's in Brawley, California on January 28th at 11:30AM. His burial will be private. The family suggests donations in lieu of flowers to Spay and Neuter of the Desert Society www.sands2010.org as Rod loved animals so very much.