Honor Mission
Dr. William A. Petersen, MD
US Army
Cold War Era Veteran
Multi-City, NY - 02/14/2025
Mission applies to the following Region(s):
Region 4, Region 5
About the Mission:
The family of Dr. William A. Petersen, MD has requested Patriot Guard Riders' participation in his military honors funeral services. Dr. Petersen, 94, passed away peacefully on February 7, 2025.
Born in Kingston, NY, Dr. Petersen graduated from Kingston High School in 1948. He entered Union University, Albany College of Pharmacy in September 1948, graduating as alternate valedictorian in 1952. Accepted at Albany Medical College in September 1952 and as a pharmacist, worked his way through Albany Medical College graduating in 1956 having been inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.
Dr. Petersen was called to active duty from the US Army Reserve on 15 August 1957. He spent 2 years and 11 months on active duty, including 2 years and 9 months stationed overseas at the Landstuhl Army Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany. He was honorably discharged on 11 July 1960 at the rank of Captain (O-3) and In 1960, after three years as a pediatric ward officer, returned to Albany Medical Center to complete formal pediatric training.
From 1962-1965 he was on the full-time pediatric staff devoting his time to teaching, supervising the pediatric clinic and was Medical Director of the March of Dimes Birth Defect clinic. He became Board Certified in pediatrics in 1963. Positions held included Attending Physician at Albany Medical Center and St. Peter’s Hospital and Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Albany Medical College. He held previous positions at Albany Memorial Hospital, Samaritan and St. Mary’s Hospitals in Troy, NY, Bellevue Maternity Hospital in Schenectady, NY and Nathan Littauer Hospital in Gloversville, NY.
Dr. Petersen's full obituary can be viewed online by clicking here
Primary Staging Date and Staging Time:
02/14/2025 at 09:00am
Staging Location:
McVeigh Funeral Home
208 N. Allen St.
Albany, NY 12206
Lead Ride Captain and Contact Info:
Ray Sestak
518-669-3358
Special Covid-19 Mission Guidelines:
Updated 15, May 2024
The CDC has changed its COVID-19 protocol recommendations for 2024, updating them to reflect the changing severity and transmission of the virus. Please click here for the latest information and continue to practice common sense distancing protocols while in enclosed locations.
Special Information:
Staging at the funeral home with a flag line for the arrival of family and guests. Members will escort to St. Pius X Church, 23 Crumitie Rd., Loudonville, NY 12211 for a 10:30 Funeral Mass. Escort to St. Peter's Cemetery, Oakwood Ave., Troy, NY will follow the church services, where Dr. Petersen will be interred with military honors.
Is there a Second Stage to this Mission?
no
Submitted by:
Ray Sestak
rs 02/11; MER
