Background
Petersen, Richard Herman was born on October 9, 1934 in Quincy, Illinois, United States. Son of Herman Hiese and Nancy (Getty) Petersen.
government executive aeronautical engineer
Petersen, Richard Herman was born on October 9, 1934 in Quincy, Illinois, United States. Son of Herman Hiese and Nancy (Getty) Petersen.
Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering, Purdue University, 1956. Doctor Engineering (honorary), Purdue University, 1986. Master of Science in Aeronautics, California Institute of Technology, 1957.
Doctor in Public Service (honorary), George Washington University, 1987. Doctor of Science (honorary), College of William and Mary, 1992.
Research engineer, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, 1957-1963; aerospace engineer, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, 1963-1965, 66-70; branch chief, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, 1970-1973; division chief, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, 1975-1980; aerospace engineer, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, 1965-1966; executive, Nielsen Engineering & Research Inc., Mountain View, California, 1973-1975; deputy director, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia, 1980-1985; director, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia, 1985-1991; associate administrator Aeronautics and Space Technology, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Headquarters, Washington, 1991-1993; retired, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Headquarters, Washington, 1993; aerospace consultant, since 1993.
First lieutenant United States Air Force, 1957-1960. Fellow American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (board directors 1984-1990, Sylvanus A. Reed Aeronautics award 1991), National Academy Engineering.
Married Joandra Windsor Shenk, September 15, 1959. Children: Eric Norman, Kristin.