Background
Peterson, Melvin Norman Adolph was born on May 27, 1929 in Evanston, Illinois, United States. Son of Frederick Gothard Walter and Norma Alberta (Johnson) Peterson.
academic administrator educator government official marine geologist
Peterson, Melvin Norman Adolph was born on May 27, 1929 in Evanston, Illinois, United States. Son of Frederick Gothard Walter and Norma Alberta (Johnson) Peterson.
Bachelor of Science, Northwestern University, 1951. Master of Science, Northwestern University, 1956. Doctor of Philosophy, Harvard University, 1960.
Assistant research geologist University California-San Diego, Scripps Institution Oceanography, La Jolla, 1960—1963, assistant professor, 1963—1966, associate professor, 1966—1971, academy administrator, V-VII marine geology program, 1971—1987, chief scientist deep sea drilling project, 1967—1972, program director deep sea drilling project, 1973—1987. Program director Initial Reports of the Deep Sea Drilling Project, 1969—1987. Chief scientist Department Commerce, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, 1987—1989.
Director Ocean Policy Institute, Pacific Forum/Center Strategic & International Studies, Honolulu, since 1991. School board member Del Mar Union Elementary Schools, California, 1965—1977, president, 1975—1977. Lieutenant junior grade United States Navy, 1951-1954, Korea.
Member school board Delegate March Union Elementary Schools, California, 1965-1977, president, 1975-1977. Lieutenant (junior grade) United States Navy, 1951-1954, of Korea. Fellow Geological Society American.
Member Pacific Research Foundation (founder, president of the board directors).
Married Margaret Stewart Forbes, June 14, 1958. Children: Katrina Elizabeth, John Frederick Forbes, Bruce Norman Stewart, Valerie Anne.