John David Petersen

John David Petersen, age 77, died September 11, 2025, at home in Chapel Hill, NC. Born November 21, 1947, John was the eldest child of John and Betsy Petersen. He grew up surrounded by family in the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles and graduated from Franklin High School in 1965. He continued his studies at Cal State Los Angeles, earning a B.S. in Chemistry, before earning his Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry at UC Santa Barbara. He joined the faculty at Kansas State in 1975 before moving to Clemson University in 1980. In 1987, he took a Humboldt Fellowship sabbatical from Clemson to do research at the Universitӓt Regensburg. Germany. While at Clemson, John began his university administrative roles, first as Associate Dean for Research then as Department Head of Chemistry. He then served as Dean of the College of Wayne State University in 1994 before becoming Chancellor and Provost at the University of Connecticut in 2000. John served as President of The University of Tennessee System from 2004 to 2009. After his university career, John and Carol moved to Chapel Hill, NC, where he served as Executive Director of RTP Solar Fuels Project and IUPAC before retiring. He was a longtime member of the American Chemical Society and served on their Executive Compensation Committee.

John met Carol at an intermural softball game in 1968, and they were married in Los Angeles in 1970. In addition to his passion for education and science, he loved sports (both as a fan and participating in softball, basketball, golf, and skiing), and music. After retirement, he enjoyed playing bridge and golf (including winning the 2017 Senior Men’s Golf Association President’s Cup at Chapel Hill Country Club) until the effects of Alzheimer’s caused him to stop his participation. Even with his diagnosis, John chose to help advance scientific research and help all those diagnosed with the disease. He was part of a Phase III clinical trial starting in 2019 for over 2 years. To continue supporting scientific research and student education, the family has donated his remains to the Western Carolina Forensic Osteology Research Station (FOREST) program.

He is survived by his wife, Carol; two children: Melissa Petersen of Chapel Hill, NC and Andrew (Katie) Petersen of State College, PA; two grandchildren: Alexa and William Petersen; and a large extended family. The family especially wishes to thank his dedicated caregivers who lovingly supported the family and helped give John the best quality of life he could have had.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Chemical Society, Alzheimer's Research, or the charity of your choice. A funeral mass will be held at St. Thomas More in Chapel Hill on Monday, October 13 at 11:00 am with a small reception to follow at the family home beginning at approximately 1:00 pm. A second gathering will take place in Southern California at a later date to celebrate John’s life with extended family and friends.