Joseph Petersen

Joseph Petersen was born March 9, 1922, to Mr. & Mrs. Nessie (Stevenson) Hunter in Belfast, Ireland. At the age of 4 months he immigrated to America with his parents, settling in the San Francisco Bay Area, where other relatives resided. His parents soon divorced and Nessie married Robert Petersen, who adopted Joe. Joe grew up in Oakland where his father was a fireman. He graduated from Lick Wilmerding, a science oriented prep school in San Francisco, in 1940, commuting by ferry across the bay to attend school. He was hired as a lab assistant by Shell Oil in Emeryville out of high school, for whom he would work for 42 years, rising to the position of senior chemist. On March 20, 1942, Joe married his high school sweetheart, Byrle Stafford. Nine months later they gave birth to their son, Robin. Joe served in the Army and fought in WWII, 1944-46, operating a gas generating plant in the European theater. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant. Upon return the family resided in Alameda, where a second son, Jim, was born in 1947, and a third son, Tom, in 1949. The family moved to Pleasant Hill in 1950, where Joe resided for the next 22 years. His wife, Byrle, died of lupus Oct. 7, 1969. In 1972 Joe was transferred to Houston, as Shell closed its research and development center in Emeryville. On March 17, 1978, Joe married Merle (McFaddin) Datt, also a widow, who was among the Bay Area Shell transplants to Houston. With Merle, Joe received a beloved step-daughter, Lorah Horn. Joe retired in 1984 and enjoyed 35 years of retired life. He and Merle attended a number of Elder Hostels throughout the country, visited family in California and Montana, swam daily in their backyard pool, read avidly, and tended to home projects and repairs. They are members of the First Congregational Church in Houston.

Preceding Joe in death are his parents, his first wife, Byrle, his step-daughter, Lorah Horn, and two granddaughters, Jill and Laura.

Joe is survived by his wife, Merle, his three sons, Robin (Roylene) of Orland, CA, Jim of Kalispell, and Tom (Deb) of Sacramento, 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great granddaughters.

At Joe’s request, no services are pending. His cremains will be placed in the memorial garden of the First Congregational Church.