Clarence Eugene Peterson, age 96, passed away peacefully on August 25, 2023 at his home in Rolling Hills Estates. The son of John Gunnar Peterson and Cerona Erickson, he was born in 1927 on the family farm in Michigan. Clarence grew up in Chicago and upon high school graduation, enlisted in the U. S. Navy as an Electronics Technician.

After completing his Navy service at the conclusion of World War II, he traveled to California, where he met and married the love of his life, Maryann Hallquist. Assisted by the GI Bill, Clarence enrolled at USC, where in 1953 he graduated with honors, with a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering. He went on to receive a Master of Science in electrical engineering from Caltech in 1954.

A stellar 38 year career followed in the aerospace & defense industry, including Lear, General Mills Electronics, General Motors Defense Research Labs and finally TRW Space & Defense, where Clarence directed hardware manufacturing on satellite and spacecraft programs, until he retired in 1992.

Clarence was predeceased by his wife Maryann in 1995, his younger son John in 2004 and grandson Jeffrey in 2021. He was a beloved husband and father and adored grandfather and great-grandfather. Clarence is survived by daughter Linda Bogle (Peter), son Richard Peterson (Christine), grandchildren Michael Bogle (Lisa), David Bogle (Amanda), Caroline Armstrong (Brian), Stephen Peterson (Todd), Elizabeth Peterson (Nic) and great-grandchildren Maddie, Finn, Kaleb, Kellen, Miles and Lyla. Services for the immediate family will be held at the Santa Barbara Cemetery.