Steven Joergen Petersen, born on November 4, 1947, in Manassas, Virginia, peacefully passed away on November 3, 2023, in Maggie Valley, North Carolina at the age of 75.

Steven lived the majority of his life in Manassas, VA, a place he cherished for its rich Civil War history. He also lived in Merritt Island, FL, and most recently settled in Maggie Valley, NC, where he felt a deep connection to the beautiful landscape of the Western NC mountains.

Professionally, Steven was a self-employed general contractor and custom home builder. Steven was also a lifelong scholar and historian, with a particular fascination for civil war history. An athlete at heart, Steven played football, basketball, and baseball as a young man. As an adult, Steven found immense joy in connecting with nature through running. His favorite place to absorb the sights, smells, and the feel of the changing seasons was Manassas Battlefield Park. It was at this park that he passed along his passion for connecting to nature, history, and self through trail running to his daughter Abby.

Steven loved his country and was a patriot in every sense of the word. He held a deep appreciation for the values that shaped America, and he expressed that appreciation (combined with his love for literature and poetry) by memorizing and reciting classical American passages such as the Declaration of Independence and the Gettysburg Address.

Steven is preceded in death by his parents, Alfred Joergen Petersen and Helen Lucy Click Petersen, as well as his brother Eric Petersen. Steven leaves behind a loving and devoted life partner, Sandra Shepherd Rowland. He also leaves behind his daughter, Abigail McKee and son-in-law Kenneth McKee, and his granddaughters Sarah Hunter, Natalie Hunter, and Claire Hunter of whom he is immeasurably proud. Steven is also survived by his sister, Barbara Petersen Gunderson, and niece Jennifer Arquette.

Remembered as a fun-loving and generous partner, father, grandfather, son, brother, and uncle, Steven brought light and laughter into the lives of many.

Steven loved his family and friends well and his memory will forever inspire us to strive to be the best version of ourselves.