Michael K. Petersen Do

Michael K. Petersen, D.O., of Grants Pass, Oregon, died from complications related to esophageal cancer on May 24, 2006. He was 46. Born and raised in Petaluma, California, he graduated from Casa Grande High School in 1977. He met his future wife, Marianne, while at Kenilworth Junior High School in Petaluma. He attended Brigham Young University and Santa Rosa Junior College, but his undergraduate was obtained at Sonoma State University. It was at SSU that he obtained a degree in microbiology with an emphasis in computer science and minors in both mathematics and chemistry. He was a student researcher in the Biophysics and Biochemistry department at University of California, San Francisco and a research scientist for Henkel Corporation. He attended medical school at Des Moines University in Iowa. He performed his internship and residency in Internal Medicine at University of Nevada, Reno. There he was named “The Outstanding Resident” in his second year and spent his final year as Chief Medical Resident. Dr. Petersen spent eight years in the United States Army Reserve and was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain. Dr. Petersen was in private practice in Grants Pass for 12 years, with clinical interests in gastroenterology, cardiology, and critical care. He was chairman of the Three Rivers Community Hospital Internal Medicine department and Critical Care department. He had served on the Executive Board of the Crater Lake Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He served on the Board of Directors of the Grants Pass Surgery Center and Mid-Rogue Independent Physicians Association. Dr. Petersen’s leisure interests included hunting, fishing, camping, travel, and playing guitar. He had a deep love for his patients and considered them friends. Despite a life full of professional activities, Dr. Petersen found the greatest joy and pride in his loving family. Dr. Petersen is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 25 years, Marianne, and children, Alayna, Natalie, Jessica, and Erik. He is also survived by his mother, Marilyn Petersen, and brother Jim, and sister Ruth. Services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 1969 Williams Highway, Grants Pass Oregon on May 30, 2006 at 5:00pm with public viewing starting at 4:00pm. Interment will be at Cypress Hill Memorial Park in Petaluma California on June 1, 2006 at 10:00am. In honor of Michael K. Petersen Three Rivers Community Hospital has established a scholarship fund. This scholarship provides funds for ancillary medical personnel to attend Rogue Community College to obtain a Registered Nurse degree. Cash donations may be made to the Michael K. Petersen D.O. Nursing Scholarship Fund, RCC Foundation c/o The Dr. Mike Petersen Memorial Scholarship, 3345 Redwood Hwy., Grants Pass, OR 97527.