Chuck Petersen Memorial Scholarship

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			Chuck Petersen was born in April, 1944 and raised on the Oconomowoc farm his great-grandfather established, in the house in which his father was born. He was the oldest of three brothers – Gerry and Ron were two of his best friends. His early education took place in the one-room Mapleton School (where he was one of two in his class!), and on the farm he loved, and later bought from his parents, Byron and Lorraine. His student years at Oconomowoc High School were filled with fun and success. Chuck developed a wide circle of friends and participated in many activities, including his favorite, the football team. He was also a member of the National Honor Society. Chuck missed only one OHS reunion, his 35^th, due to his father’s sudden hospitalization. His own unexpected death occurred just months later, in May, 1998. At graduation from OHS, Chuck chose to attend Northwestern University on a full academic scholarship. After graduation from Northwestern, he spent many years in management consulting for Arthur Andersen & Co. (which later became Andersen Consulting, then Accenture); Information Consulting Group (of which he was a founding partner); McKinsey & Co.; and Ernst & Young, at which he was national director of financial services at the time of his death. He also spent four great years as chief financial officer for a bank holding company in Indiana. Though he made his mark in the business world, the qualities that Chuck applied to his life and career can be found anywhere, and comprise the essence of this man. Chuck had great personal integrity. He chose the right path, made the right decision, and helped others to do so, even when it might mean less profit and gain for the moment. Chuck knew and tried to convince others to understand that short term success, in any area of your life, is not worth risking the values that are closest to your heart. Chuck was a natural leader. He was talented, confident and successful on his own, but always strived to help those around him reach their highest potential – to create the team spirit that would carry their current project to successful completion. Chuck was fun-loving. He did everything he could to make his family, friends and business associates enjoy life as much as he did. As his best friend and confidante from our Northwestern days, as his wife for 31 years, and as the mother of his treasured daughters, Jan and Alyssa, I can attest that Chuck was truly a wonderful man. He would be very happy to know that his friends have established a scholarship at Oconomowoc High School in his memory. Best wishes to each applicant for happiness and success in your future. Barbara J. Petersen