Bernard (Ben) Petersdorff passed away July 29, 2023 with family members by his bedside. Ben was born to Bernard and Audrey Petersdorff in Milwaukee,WI.

After high school he enlisted in the Air Force where he proudly served for 26 years. A year after enlisting, he married Patricia (Slomczewski)Petersdorff and the Air Force took them to assignments in Little Rock, AR, Marquette MI, Honolulu, HI, and North Pole, AK. During his tenure Ben and Pat added 3 daughters to the family. While on active duty, Ben completed his BA and MBA which led him to teach for 20 years for Wayland Baptist University.

After retiring from the AF, Ben worked for the state of Alaska and ran the DMV in Fairbanks, AK.  He later began working for the Army at Ft Wainwright, Fairbanks, AK as a transition manager for soldiers leaving the active duty service.  Another door opened and Ben accepted a position with the Army in Bavaria, Germany where he and Pat spent 5 wonderful years.  Traveling across Europe was an enticement to be in Germany. 

Ben and Pat moved to Sahuarita, AZ in May 2015. Ben wanted to do part time work locally and was soon absorbed into into the teaching as well as monitor group at Continental School, where he was affectionately known to all as Mr Ben.  The kids loved him and would go out of their way to speak to him.

Ben was a member of the Knights of Columbus.  He served as Financial Secretary for Council 6842 in Green Valley, AZ .  He served as Sir Knight of Assembly 1918 as Trustee  and Color Corps Commander. He served with courage, sincerity and love.

Ben is survived by his wife of 55 years, Pat Petersdorff, daughters Jill(Dan) Lynch of Ft Worth, TX, Kerry (Jerry) Jasmin of Surprise, AZ and Kristin Inman of San Diego, CA,, 7 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, a sister and brother both of WI, many other relatives and numerous friends. He will be terribly missed by all who knew him.

A Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Valley Church in Green Valley, AZ on August 11, 2023 at 10 am.

Interment will be at St Adalbert Cemetery in Milwaukee, WI at a later date.

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