Lorrin Peterson

Lorrin Carlton Peterson a San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valley resident for over thirty years, died November 19, 2014 in Kerrville, Texas. He was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, July 7, 1921, to Albert F. and Emma Ehrsam Peterson, where he lived until graduation from Lincoln High School in 19.

He enlisted in the US Army Air Corps in June 19 and served in the 2nd Weather Squadron at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and Presque Isle Army Air Base, Maine, where he was serving when World War II began. He was appointed by Senator Hugh Butler of Nebraska to the US Military Academy at West Point, which he entered July 1, 1942 after being discharged from the Air Corps as a sergeant.

Because of the start of World War II, his class at West Point was accelerated from four to three years and concurrent flying training was added. Thus, he achieved two of his goals: a degree and a pair of silver wings in June of 1945.

As a fledgling bomber pilot destined for B29 Superfortresses, he was training in B25s when the war with Japan ended in August 1945. He went on to fly the B17, B24, B25, B29, B36 and B47 bomber aircraft.

He was stationed in Berlin, Germany when the Russian blockade started in June of 1949, and flew 84 missions on the Berlin Airlift. Later, he served two tours in the Strategic Air Command and was in a B29 squadron in England when the Korean War started, and served there for six more months.

Upon return to the U.S. he was selected to attend the USAF Institute of Technology from which he was awarded an MBA tailored to prepare for service as a program manager of major weapon systems. He was program manager of two strategic missile systems, the SM64 Navaho, and the GAM72, Quail, until he was assigned to Taiwan where he was in charge of the USAF Plant Office at Air Asia, a subsidiary of Air America, doing major overhaul of Air Force F100s. His next and last assignment was as Professor of Air Science at the California Institute of Technology from where he retired as a major in 1962.

The remaining 30 years of his working life was spent in aerospace and general aviation. He worked in program management offices at the Marquardt Company for ten years, and helped supply rocket engines for the Apollo, Manned Orbiting Lab, and Space Shuttle programs. Other service was with Litton Data Systems as a Program Manager of Special Programs for eight years. Elsewhere he was a Senior EngineerScientist for Douglas Aircraft and a program manager for National Cash Register, and Hydraulic Research Textron in Valencia.

In his spare time, after becoming a Flight Instructor under the GI Bill, he eventually became an Airline Transport Pilot and flight instructor in all fixed wing aircraft: single and multiengine, instrument, glider, and seaplane. He enjoyed teaching, especially Turning on somebody to the fun of flying. He held a secondary teaching credential and taught aviation and program management at public and private colleges. He founded and operated Van Nuys Aviation Academy for several years where many pilots learned to fly.

Feeling that he owed public service to his community, he was elected to the Castaic Lake Water Agency board of ors and served for six years he was also elected to the Los Angeles County Republican Central Committee for two years. He was a member of numerous civic organizations including the Van Nuys Airport Kiwanis and the Van Nuys Chamber of Commerce. After retirement from the aerospacedefense industry, he and his wife, Ila, moved from Northridge to Nevada for 10 years, and finally relocated in Kerrville, TX in 2005. His passion was for everything that lives plants and animal. He became a Master Gardener and enjoyed landscaping his homes.

His parents and all siblings preceded him in death.

He is survived by his wife, Ila McCulloch children, Eric Peterson and Anne LeGare Marc, and seven grandchildren. He is also survived by Ilas three children, Clifton Patten Caryl, Clayton Patten Tania, Cari Raish Scott and seven grandchildren. He will be buried at Bassett Memorial Park, Bassett, Nebraska.

In lieu of flowers, please send expressions of sympathy to the Holbrook Indian School, Holbrook, AZ.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Kerrville Funeral Home. 830 8955111

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