Earl Richard Petersen

Earl Richard “Pete” Petersen made his last, lengthy putt on the last green, of the last hole, on the last day of 2023, and walked off to join the love of his life, our Mom, Margie, in heaven after a ten year absence. Born to humble beginnings on December 13, 1927, in Little Sioux, Iowa, to Walter and Grace Petersen, he was the second of four children. “Dad” to us, he grew up “Dick” to his school buddies and “Sonny” to his family. After graduating from Central High School in Sioux City, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving as an Aviation Technician from 1946 to 1948. He then began his long career with the FBI as a fingerprint technician and trained kinesics interrogator in Washington DC. During this time he began his 65 year love story with Marjorie Bradshaw, a young White House payroll clerk on President Truman’s staff. This led to their marriage in 1949 and continued past her passing in 2013. While in Washington, he earned his accounting degree at Benjamin Franklin University. Following graduation, Dad became a “G-man” after being personally interviewed and approved for hire by J. Edgar Hoover. He then began his multi-chaptered 30 year career as a Special Agent, leading him from the D.C. area to Hattiesburg, MS, and ultimately to Baton Rouge, LA as Assistant Special Agent in Charge. He dealt primarily with the investigation of banking violations, including fraud, embezzlement, robbery, theft, and burglary matters. His stories were book-worthy, running the gamut from solving a bank robbery in a small, sleepy town in Mississippi, surveilling nighttime KKK cross burnings, and being an essential part of the investigation of the murders of three Mississippi civil rights workers, to being instrumental in investigating all labor management violations within the Baton Rouge area from 1960 until his retirement in 1979. His investigation of a group of Baton Rouge gamblers in the early ‘60’s, who were implicated in trying to influence the outcome of certain LSU football games, led to their subsequent arrest and prosecution. In addition, he was an invaluable team member who participated in the investigation of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. These are just a few highlights of his illustrious FBI career. Upon his retirement from the FBI, he became the Chief Security Officer for Fidelity National Bank responsible for establishing and enforcing their security program. He then launched Petersen Professional Investigations, Inc. providing investigative services for the Baton Rouge area, and finally ended his career with a return to the FBI as a contract investigator while in his ‘80’s. Of great importance in his later years were his new-found friends at St. James Place, where he has resided since 2016. He loved joining the crowd at “Happy Hour,” periodically reminding his listeners of his not one, not two, but three holes-in-one in his life, his poker prowess, his frequenting courtrooms as an expert fingerprint witness, and most of all, his love for his family. He will be dearly remembered for his keen ability to croon a mean tune with the best of them all while following the beat with his signature hand motion. Pete was the proud father of three children, Glen Petersen (Melinda), Sharon Ducote (Bill), and Debbie Grace (Pat). Pete’s children not only grew the family size but also birthed another name for Dad, “Poppa” which he was affectionally called by his grandchildren. He never hesitated to brag of their accomplishments, and nothing brought him more joy than spending time with them. They include Kyle Petersen (Ronda), Hunter Chenevert, Jordan Grace (Melissa), Drew Petersen (Amanda), Amanda Adams (Jason), Kirsten Subjeck (Sean), and Brant Grace. Eleven great-grandchildren round out the Petersen family that Pete and Margie created: Hadley, Connor, and Presley Petersen, Hudson and Barrett Chenevert, Laurel Grace, Jack and Amelia Petersen, Amelia and Evan Adams, and Quinn Subjeck. He is survived by his sister, Dolores Kounas, of South Sioux, NE, and several nieces and nephews. We would like to thank his St. James Place caregivers Karen, Tasha, and Annette. We are forever grateful for their kindness and loving care. In addition, we would like to thank Susie and Crystal with Hospice of Baton Rouge for providing the utmost compassion and comfort for our dad. Dad was recognized as a man of faith, integrity, and honesty and was often described as a “good man” who had a “great life” and both are very true. We will miss him deeply and remember him always with love. Pallbearers will include his son, son-in-law, and grandsons. Visitation will be held at Greenoaks Funeral Home, 9595 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA, on Monday, January 8, 2024, from 5pm to 7pm, and again the following morning, Tuesday, January 9, from 9am until the time of funeral services at 11am, to be officiated by Todd Vickery, Chaplain. Burial will immediately follow at Greenoaks Memorial Park. Family and friends are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.greenoaksfunerals.com