Norman Peterson
| Norman Peterson | |
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| Personal Details | |
| Birth: | May 27, 1949 Cadillac, Michigan |
| Death: | December 12, 2024 (aged 75) Jackson, Michigan |
Norman McLeon "Norm" Peterson (May 27, 1949—December 12, 2024) was a Libertarian Party activist involved in the Libertarian Party of Michigan.
Biography
Norman McLeod "Norm" Peterson was born on May 27, 1949, in Cadillac, Michigan, to Louise A. (née Carlson) and Dixie E. Peterson. He graduated from Alpena High School in 1967 and pursued higher education in several disciplines. He studied Meteorology at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, earned a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy from Thomas Jefferson College (an experimental college at Grand Valley State University), a Master's degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Western Michigan University, and a Ph.D. in Behavioral Psychology from Western Michigan University.
In 1971, Peterson met Valda Collins at a holiday party, and they married in 1973. The couple initially lived in East Grand Rapids, where they had twins, before relocating to Jackson, Michigan, in 1988.
Professionally, Peterson's career spanned academia, authorship, and executive roles. He served as an Assistant Professor in the Psychology Department at Western Michigan University, authored *An Introduction to Verbal Behavior*, held the position of Senior HR Director at Consumers Energy, and was the Chief Operating Officer at the Foundation for Behavioral Resources, where he worked and served on the board for over two decades.
Peterson was an active member of the Libertarian Party of Michigan, serving as both Chairman and Treasurer, and was involved in Applied Behavior Analysis International. Beyond his professional and political contributions, Peterson had a wide array of interests, including reading, playing the acoustic guitar, photography, Tai Chi, golfing, and meteorology. He was a linguistics enthusiast, dedicating time to studying Latin, Russian, Japanese, and Spanish. He was also a regular volunteer for the Jackson Hot Air Jubilee, an event where he enjoyed riding in hot air balloons.
Peterson passed away on December 12, 2024, at the age of 75 in Jackson, Michigan. He is survived by his wife, Valda M. (Collins) Peterson; daughter, Anna C. Peterson; son, David E. Peterson (Liza M. Monteagudo); brother, Jeffery Peterson (Sheryl); and several nieces, nephews, and extended family members.