Karl L. Peterson of Marshfield passed away peacefully at his home with his beloved wife of 59 years, Jayne L. (Nangle) Peterson and his beloved daughter Karyn L. (Peterson) Lux (Michael) and his beloved cat Kleo by his side. Karl is survived by his brother Wayne A. Peterson (Marie) of Norwell and brother in-law of David Kelley of Hanover. He was predeceased by his parents, Harry W. and Hazel M. (Nash) Peterson of Hanover and his sisters Barbara M. (Peterson) Kelley and Stella A. (Peterson) Leach, all of Hanover. Other survivors are his Godson, Stephan Oakman and family of Middleboro, Hetty Nietsch Bon and family of the Netherlands, his extended family in Sweden, and his many cousins, nieces and nephews, whom he cherished.

Born at home in Hanover in 1938, Karl spent all of his school years in the Hanover school system and was graduated from Hanover High School in 1957, where he was a member of the National Honor Society and excelled in football and track. He earned varsity letters and numerous awards in those sports. In 1962 he earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Tufts University where he was a traveling scholar, captain of the indoor and outdoor track team, and New England Collegiate hammer throw champion. He continued his education at Northeastern University and in 1967 he was awarded a Master of Education Administration from Northeastern University. His education didn't stop there as he continued to take courses at Bridgewater State College, Eastern Nazarene College, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, and Harvard University.

After graduating from Tufts University in 1962, Karl was hired to teach science in the Marshfield School System by Edwin Martinson, then Superintendent of Schools. Thus began his career of 35 years as a teacher, the profession that he loved. Initially, he was hired as a science teacher for grades 7, 8, and 9; during those years he organized and coached the Junior High football team and track teams, encouraged by James Anderson, the Athletic Director. In 1968 he transferred to Marshfield High School where he taught until his retirement in 1997. During those years he taught biology, A.P. anatomy and psychology and organized several mini courses such as seamanship and marine biology. With the approval of the School Superintendent Richard Burgess he introduced and taught aviation which was added to the curriculum and which he taught until his retirement.

With his innovative ability, Karl organized and became the first advisor th the MHS Key Club. His role as advisor in this group of energetic and enthusiastic young men and women was very rewarding. They were recognized by he New England District of Kiwanis Clubs as one of the best in the area. Also under his leadership, SADD (Students Against Driving Drunk) also was formed at MHS in 1985. This club organized events and presented assemblies with speakers who gave testimony to safety and non use of alcohol among teenagers. The members also presented programs to neighboring high schools to help them organize their own chapter of SADD. From 1985 to his retirement, Karl was also advisor to the MHS National Honor Society which through their activities and benevolence became one of the elite groups in Massachusetts.

Karl was a man of many interests, two of which were flying and boating. After a trip to Puerto Rico in 1968, Karl decided to take flying lessons and he quickly certified for his private pilots license. This prompted him to create the aviation course at Marshfield High School. His other interest was boating and he soon earned a Captain's Boating / Open Ocean certification for a 300 ton vessel. Soon after he became a certified scuba diver. Although he was never employed in the marine field his desire for knowledge to better himself was important. When he became aware that a trans-Atlantic balloon flight was being planned to take off from the sandpit across the street from the high school he quickly took action to help Maxie Anderson and Ben Abbruzzo with their departure from Marshfield. Many of his aviation students also helped with the project.

Karl's interest and ability to coach athletics was evident in the successful achievements of his teams under his tutelage. During the years he coached the boys MHS track team, "his boys" won 3 league championships and as head coach of the indoor track team, they also became champions in their league. He was also extremely proud of the junior high football program which he started – these boys were never defeated during his tenure before he transferred to teach science in the high school. He also instructed them to ski on the many trips he organized to New Hampshire and Europe.

Community service was always important to Karl. Because of his involvements with the Key Club, he was a 10-year honorary member of the Marshfield Kiwanis Club. After he became a licensed private pilot, he became a member of the Airport Commission and later served as Chairman. Early on in his living in Marshfield his activities included Chairman of the Red Cross local chapter, member of the Parkland Investigating Committee, member of the Recreation Commission, President of the Marshfield Youth Baseball League, and President of the Men's Softball League. After his retirement when he spent winters in Florida, he served as board member and later president of the homeowners association.

Work was an important aspect of Karl's life. He was never idle, always busy with projects. During his summers he serviced and constructed swimming pools both in Marshfield and Orleans when he moved to Cape Cod in 1981. There he established Peterson Pools of Orleans, during school vacations while he was teaching, but it became his full time work upon retirement.

Singing was a major activity in Karl's life upon his retirement and in the winters spent in Florida he became a member of the River Ranch Four, a barber shop quartet, as the lead tenor. As a group they would sing anywhere "at the drop of a hat". This group even performed in Europe. Karl also sang in his home church in Marshfield as soloist and choir member as well as in his Florida church. From the time he was a young child music became a major part of his life. His mother encouraged Karl and his sister Stella to perform (sing) in local vaudeville shows dressed in costumes that she had made. Singing has been a life long avocation for him.

As a family, Karl, his wife and his daughter spent many happy hours traveling in their motor home. These travels included other people, too. They went to Disneyworld, to Washington D.C. while a Thanksgiving turkey was cooking in the RV oven, to Cape Cod, Niagara Falls, and even to the 1976 summer Olympic games in Montreal. Many of those trips were in a car and with other families and their motor homes.

Karl was a man of many interest. He loved his family, his friends, his students, teaching, learning, traveling, constructing and athletics (skiing, golf, tennis) and WORK! He liked building things but enjoyed most building friendships. He was sincere, caring, and compassionate. He loved people of all ages and treated all as equal. He was a big man with a kind heart, loyal to his friends and faithful to God.

A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, November 16, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Congregational Church, 1981 Ocean Street in Marshfield, with a luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Marshfield Kiwanis Key Club Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 1177, Marshfield MA 02050.