Richard E. Petersen, 96, of Concord, died Wednesday, August 16, 2017 at Emerson Hospital in Concord. He was the beloved husband for 68 years of Annette (Benson) Petersen. Born in Concord on July 27, 1921, he was the son of the late Peverill and Alice (Wilber) Petersen. During his youth, he worked on the family's Wigwam Brook Farm located on Monument Street in Concord along side his father and grandfather (Rudolph). He attended Concord public schools and graduated in 1939 from Concord High School. He received a Bachelor and a Masters degree in Chemistry from Lowell Textile Institute, now known as University of Massachusetts, Lowell. During World War II, he served as a radio operator in the Ski Troops at Camp Hale and later in the 77th division in Okinawa and Japan. After the war he completed his last year of college and briefly worked in New Jersey as a chemist where he met his future wife. Following their marriage in New York City they returned to the family farm he loved. He continued in chemistry for many years where he was named in several patents and inventions. He worked hard dedicating himself to the goals of educating his children and providing the necessities needed to keep the farm in the family. Following his retirement in 1978 he spent many happy years farming his land and selling produce from a roadside stand made from a 1942 Pontiac. An avid reader, he had a wide range of interests especially in subjects relating to science. He also read about farming, aviation and boating, inspiring him to build an ultra-light aircraft and sail solo to Bermuda. He had a passion for adventure and led his family on many camping, climbing and sailing vacations. From wilderness canoeing in Maine, mountain climbing in Colorado and numerous sailing trips on the eastern seaboard he enjoyed them all. Some of his fondest memories however, were of canoeing and picnicking on the Concord River with Annette, an activity they continued into their nineties. In addition to his wife, Annette, he is survived by two sons, James Petersen and his wife Ana of Warwick, Rhode Island and William Petersen and his wife Jennifer of Concord, one daughter, Donna Robbins and her husband, John of Concord, four grandchildren, Andrew Petersen, Bonnie Evans, Annie Petersen and Virginia Robbins. He was also the brother of the late Elizabeth Leighly. In lieu of flowers contributions in his memory may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children of Boston. Family and friends are welcome to gather for a funeral procession on Friday, August 25th at 9:30 am at the Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford Street, Concord Center followed by a graveside service at 10 am in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.