Lasting Memories

Dana Clark Peterson
1933-Dec. 31, 2006
Portola Valley, California

Dana Clark Peterson, a 44-year resident of Portola Valley, died Dec. 31, 2006, at the Veterans Affairs hospital in Palo Alto. He was 73.

Mr. Peterson was born in Braintree, Mass. At age 16 he entered Harvard University. After graduating in 1953, he became one of the youngest officer candidates in the U.S. Navy at that time. In 1954 he married Mary Levering Cornthwaite and began active duty as a communications officer in Naples, Italy, during the Korean War.

After five years of active duty he returned to the United States and attended law school at Stanford University. He became part of the legal team at Ampex Electronics in Redwood City. He traveled extensively during his business career and, while working for Ampex, lived with his family in Great Britain for six years. He continued service in the Naval Reserves at Moffet Field, attaining the rank of captain. He served a total of 33 years.

Mr. Peterson was a member of the Peninsula Harvard Club. He was also active in the Republican party, getting out the vote in Portola Valley. He loved sailing and playing the clarinet and piano, and was an avid skier, say family members.

He is survived by his three sons, Kirtland Peterson of Catonsville, Maryland, Talbot Peterson of Palo Alto, and Travis Peterson of Tahoe City.