A longtime resident of Kennewick passed to his reward June 24, 2013 in Richland, WA. Allen John Petersen was born March 27, 1918 to Rev. A.W. Warren and Mabel Paulson in Harlan, Iowa. At age 2, the family moved to Clarks Grove, MN where his father pastored the First Danish Baptist Church. Allen's grandmother owned a nearby farm which became his second home. In 1930 his father suddenly passed away. In 1931 his mother married L.E. Petersen, also a Baptist minister. Allen and his younger sister were adopted by Rev. Petersen and they gained three new siblings. The united family lived in Racine, Wisconsin where another brother was born in 1933. The family moved to Albert Lea, Minnesota where Allen graduated from high school in 1937. After graduation he returned to Racine and worked at the Porter Furniture Company. During summers he worked in Yellowstone National Park. He rode his Harley-Davidson to Wyoming and stored the motorcycle in Jackson Hole because staff was not allowed to have vehicles inside the Park. Allen joined the U.S. Army in 1941 and was stationed at Fort Knox, KY where he was an instructor on motorcycles and tank engines at the Armored Force School. In 1944 Allen shipped to Fort Ord, Ca and Coco Head, HA to train for the Pacific theatre. En route he learned his amphibian company would invade Okinawa Island on Easter Sunday, 1945. His company left the Island on Christmas Day and Allen was discharged three weeks later. Later that year he visited an Army buddy at Grand Coulee and went to work for the Dam. In June 1947 he married Dorothy Schrader in St Paul, MN and settled in the Tri-Cities where he worked at Hanford and Dorothy worked as a RN at Kadlec Hospital. In 1948 Allen and Dorothy established Pete Petersen Insurance Agency at the Richland "Y." In 1971 he sold the insurance business and bought the General Store. He relocated the store into the original federal building he moved from downtown Richland onto the corner of Clearwater and Volland in Kennewick. He operated the store until the building was converted into a mini-mall. His third business, "Pete's Attic," was started in 1979 behind the Crossroads Mall and he operated the antique store until 2004. In 1950 he helped found Kennewick Baptist Church and in 1960 chaired the construction of the new auditorium. He remained an active member until his death. Pete was a two-term commissioner for Benton County Fire District #1. Four stations were built during his tenure. He was also a charter member of the Benton-Franklin Humane Society and the Columbia Kiwanis Club. He had thirty-four years perfect attendance and served as Club President in 1965. Pete also served on the finance committee for the Mid-Columbia Girl Scouts 15 years and the Bailie Youth Ranch Board 17 years. A horseman for many years, Pete was involved with the Hi-land Sage & Sun Riders 4-H club, Benton County Posse and the Benton-Franklin Fair & Rodeo in the 1950s and 1960s. Pete was proud of his Danish heritage. He and Dorothy traveled to Denmark and enjoyed hosting their European relatives in Kennewick. Pete is survived by his wife of 66 years, Dorothy, daughter Christine Fletcher of Puyallup, son John Petersen of Puyallup and son David Petersen of Wenatchee; grandchildren Brent, Paul and Wendy and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his grandson Braden. Viewing will be held Friday, July 12th, 5 to 8 p.m., at Mueller's Tri-Cities Funeral Home, 14th and Union Street. Graveside Service will be Saturday, July 13 at 11:00 a.m. at Desert Lawn Memorial Garden followed by a Memorial Service at 1:00 p.m. at Kennewick Baptist Church, 2425 W. Albany. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, Kennewick Baptist building fund or Edith Bishel Center for the Blind.