John L. Petersen
1943-2025
John Petersen, 82, of Berkeley Springs, W.Va., passed away at War Memorial Hospital on August 20, 2025.
John was an avid pilot who flew off aircraft carriers as a Naval Flight Officer during the Vietnam War. He retired from the Naval Reserve after 29 years of service. He also had a private pilot’s license and enjoyed acrobatic flying.
He earned a degree in electrical engineering and had worked in sales, advertising, non-profits and real estate development.
He founded The Arlington Institute, a future-oriented research institute. The Arlington Institute brought many influential speakers to Berkeley Springs through their Transition Talks program.
John was an amateur radio operator since high school and helped found the Morgan County Emergency Communications Network.
John is survived by Diane Carter Petersen, whom he married in 1967, and their son, John Carter Petersen, of Washington, D.C. and Chicago, Ill.
A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Morgan County Emergency Communications Network Inc.
Arrangements are being handled by Helsley-Johnson Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 95 Union Street, Berkeley Springs, WV.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.helsleyjohnsonfh.com.
