Alvin “Dean” Petersen passed away peacefully on August 8, 2021. He was born on August 10, 1940, at his grandparents’ home in Levant, Kansas, a small northwestern Kansas community. Dean was the first-born son of Peter “Alvin” Petersen and Ruth Kolpin Rubison. Both of his parents preceded him in death.
Dean was an engineer and he loved electronics and technology. He and his family built and owned successful cable and radio systems throughout Southwest Missouri. Dean devoted his entire professional life to these endeavors. He was recognized as a Cable TV Pioneer, and he worked tirelessly to bring the benefits of cable television to all of Southwest Missouri. He also brought his communications expertise to the federal level and worked with the Federal Communications Commission and Congress to advance the cable television industry.
Most of all, Dean loved spending time with family at the lake. He loved fishing, boating, teaching his kids to waterski, and pulling his grandkids on knee boards, wakeboards, and tubes. His love of the lake was a life-long love that he passed on to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Because of Dean, his daughters and their families have been vacationing together at Table Rock Lake for over 25 years.
Dean is survived by one brother, Ron Petersen, Sr. He is also survived by three daughters: Christy Brown (Kevin); Connie Anderson (Brad); and Cindy Moehring (Barry). He is also survived by nine grandchildren: Erin Heger, Justin Brown, Amy Brown, Megan Sherling, Melanie Baer, Matthew Anderson, Bennett Moehring, Hayden Moehring and Allison Moehring. He is also survived by two great-grandchildren: Camden Heger and Adalie Heger, with another on the way (Julia Lynn Baer) due in December.
Services will be held 9:30 am, Thursday, August 12, 2021, at Knell Mortuary. Private family burial will follow the service. The family will receive friends from 9:00 am until service time at Knell Mortuary. The family requires mask be worn at the service. Memorial gifts are suggested to Circle of Life, Springdale, Arkansas in care of Knell Mortuary. Online condolences may be expressed through www.knellmortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Knell Mortuary.
