Howard W. Peterson died on April 19, 2017 in Fort Collins, Colorado. Howard was born in Chicago, Illinois on February 24, 1921 to and Arthur E. and Anna (Thorsen) Peterson. He had three brothers and one sister. He entered US Army Air Corp November 1941. He married Norma Jean Oakley July 6, 1942. They raised two children: Kathryn Jean in 1943 and Norman Harry in 1945.

Howard's military career began when he flew with the Fifth Air Force in New Guinea during WWII from 1942-43 as a P38 pilot. He was then instructor pilot at Van Nuys, CA for the remainder of the war, and afterwards test pilot at Andrews AFB in Washington, DC. He was transferred to Chanute Air Base in Illinois. He was ROTC instructor at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA. He was pilot command on Okinawa with the 20th Air Force Defense for three years. He attended Alabama Command and Staff School, then assigned to Colorado Springs Air Defense Command. He was stationed at the Pentagon, Washington, DC on the Joint Chiefs Staff, during the Cuban missile crisis. Stationed during the 1960s in England headquarters, he was Director of Strategic Plans of Third Air F orce over all of Europe. He was assigned to negotiate for Air Defense for Spain, and extend the military lease for the Azore Islands.

Howard and Norma returned to live in Colorado Springs, Colorado after 30 years of command pilot service, awarded many medals and citations, including the Distinguished Flying Cross. He taught history classes at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.

Howard and Norma had a life-long love affair. He was also an adoring father, who in his travels provided the adventures of fishing the swamps of Louisiana, exploring the Okinawa culture, and skiing, hiking and hunting the slopes of Colorado. He loved his family, flying, the outdoors, and learning. His family will greatly miss his warm, loving spirit, his welcoming smile and bright blue eyes. Norma followed him throughout his career–raising the family, hosting many friends, and contributing to every community through spouse organizations. She preceded him in passing April 24, 2012.

Howard was preceded in death by his parents, wife Norma, and three brothers. He is survived by his sister Shirley Benchelt, Naperville, Illinois; son Norman and Linda Peterson, Rapid City, SD; daughter Kathryn Tutko, San Jose, California; 4 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He will be buried with his wife's cremains at the Black Hills National Cemetery in the Black Hills, South Dakota at 11:00am on Friday, May 12, 2017 with military honors. Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home in Rapid City, SD is in care of arrangements.