Harry S. Petersen, Sr., 91, Rapid City, died at his residence Monday, June 22, 2009. He was born Feb. 11, 1918 at Gregory, S.Dak., the son of O. C. and Ione (Snyder) Petersen. He attended schools at Gregory and graduated from Gregory High School. He graduated from the University of South Dakota in 1938 with a B.A. degree in Speech. While a student at the University, he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. Harry was a flying cadet with the US Army Air Corp prior to World War II. He served in the US Army Air Corp from 1942 until 1946. He quickly rose to the rank of First Sergeant at a training base in Utah and then after completing OCS, and becoming an Officer, he served at several Army bases throughout the United States. Prior to serving in the Army Air Corps during World War II, Harry was a staff announcer and later, the program director at KOBH radio in Rapid City. He kept the local public informed of the attack on Pearl Harbor in December of 1941. He also broadcast the first sporting event, a football game, on local radio. Following World War II he returned to Rapid City and was associated with KOTA Radio. Harry married Helen O'Neill on June 2, 1945 in Gregory, S. D. His stay in Rapid City was short lived, as he was recalled as a reserve officer during the Korean Conflict. During that time he served on the staff of General Ellsworth at Rapid City Air Base and was later transferred to Okinawa for the remainder of his service in Public Affairs. He was a Captain upon his discharge from the military. He returned to Rapid City and was employed for a period of thirteen years with Black Hills Power and Light Co. as the first director of personnel and public relations, under CEO Neal Simpson, who was also a personal friend. He became the "Mayor, Sheriff and Postmaster" of Rockerville Gold Town from 1965 to 1971. He also traveled throughout a multi-state territory and sold several lines of souvenirs. Harry and his wife, Helen, operated am employment agency for a time and he also was an Insurance Agent. Harry worked in real estate and finally as an appraiser in the Pennington County Equalization office until retiring at the age of seventy-nine. While in college. Harry earned spending money playing tenor sax in a dance band. In retirement, he began playing the saxophone again after a lapse of sixty years. He joined the New Horizons Band, a source of great pleasure and pride. He played in the concert band, the jazz band and the "Saxy Seniors". He had many fond memories of his band days and counted band members among his new friends. He was a past member of the Lions Club, the Rotary Club and the Elks Lodge, and had been active in many other civic organizations. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and a Shriner. He was also a member of the Emmanuel Episcopal Church. Survivors include his wife, Helen Petersen, Rapid City; two daughters, Jill Hinde and her husband Mike, DeMotte, Indiana and Joan Petersen, Rapid City; two sons. Harry S. Petersen, Jr., Las Vegas, Nev. And John Petersen and his wife, Gayle, Rapid City; three grandchildren, Steven Hinde and his wife, Sara, Iowa City, Ia., Susan Perry and her husband Matt, Chicago, IL., and Caitlin Petersen, Rapid City; and great granddaughter, Ellesse Perry, Chicago, IL.. Visitation will be from 5 PM until 7 PM Thursday, June 25 at the Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. Services will be at 10:00 AM Friday, June 26, at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, with Rev. Rich Ressler officiating. Interment, with military honors provided by Rushmore VFW Post 1273 and the South Dakota National Guard, will be at the Black Hills National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for the New Horizons Band and the Shrine Crippled Childrens Travel Fund.