Farmington Obituary: Col. Ragnar Peterson

Col. Ragnar H. Peterson (Ret. USA) of Farmington passed away on May 24, 2016 at Avon Health Center. He was the beloved husband of 60 years to the late Marguerite P Peterson.

He was the son of the late Axel and Elizabeth Peterson. Born in Sweden, he moved to the Hartford area at the age of 3. He was a graduate of Hartford High School and the University of Hartford. For the past 55 years, he was a resident of Farmington.

Pete was a veteran of World War II and he was recalled during the Korean Conflict. He served in the US Army for 8 years and continued his service for an additional 23 years in the Connecticut National Guard. He retired from the CT National Guard as a 1-Star General but chose to use the US Army rank of Colonel. His service during World War II was with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. He earned many awards including the Combat Infantry Badge, Silver Star, Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. He was inducted into the Infantry Officer Candidate School’s Hall of Fame in Fort Benning, Georgia.

His civilian employment was with the Hartford Electric Light Company, where he was the Director of Employee Relations. He retired from Northeast Utilities, who acquired HELCO, in 1985 as an Organizational Consultant.
He was active in many veteran’s and fraternal organizations, including the Military Officers Assoc of America, Military Order of the Purple Heart, 442 Combat Team Veteran’s Assoc, 43rd Infantry Division Veteran’s Assoc, Connecticut Officer’s Club and he was the past Commander of VFW Post 10361 of Farmington. He was also a member of Sequin Lodge No. 140 AF & AM of Newington, Hartford Chapter of National Sojourners, Hartford Valley Scottish Rites and Sphinx Temple Shriners. He also was a member of the Squires of West Hartford.

He is survived by three daughters, Diane of Hartford, Joyce of Wakefield, MA and Nancy of Wells, ME.

Friends may pay their condolences at the Ahern Funeral Home, 111 Main St., Unionville on Friday, May 27 from the hours of 10:00-12:00. A graveside service and burial, with full military honors will follow at 1:30 pm at the State Veteran’s Cemetery in Middletown.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Farmington Valley Visiting Nurse Assoc., 8 Old Mill Lane, Simsbury, CT 06106.