Carl Peterson, a library technician in the Preservation Reformatting Division, died suddenly on Feb. 9. He was 59 years old. A service was held on Feb. 17 at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Woodbridge, VA.

A native of western Massachusetts, Peterson earned a bachelor’s degree from Antioch University. He joined VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) in the mid-1960s, as one of the fledgling organization’s first 1,000 volunteers. His contributions earned him a VISTA Award and an opportunity to serve in Peru for several months under the auspices of the Peace Corps. As part of this honor, he dined with the Peace Corps’ first director, Sargent Shriver, and his wife Eunice Kennedy Shriver.

Peterson began working at the Library on Feb. 3, 1975, as a collator trainee in the Preservation Microfilming Office (the forerunner of the Preservation Reformatting Division). During his tenure at the Library he was detailed to the American Folklife Center, the Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division, and the Hispanic Division. In June 2002 he was presented with a 30-year pin for his tenure in federal service.

A member of the Library of Congress Credit Union (LCFCU) throughout his tenure, Peterson served voluntarily on the Credit Union board for 18 years, and as board secretary for a decade. He also served as director and committee member for the D.C. Credit Union League, becoming the League’s first volunteer to be designated as a Certified Credit Union Executive. The League recognized his contributions with the Roy F. Bergengren and Friedrich W. Raiffeisen awards, in honor of two pioneers in the growth of the credit union movement.

“Carl was very proud to receive these awards from the Credit Union community,” said long-time friend Myron Chace, head of the Special Services Section in the Photoduplication Service. “He had a desire to foster a sense of community and he continually worked toward improving people’s lives.”

Friend and PRD colleague Denise A. Jackson recalled Peterson’s generosity.

“Carl was always reminding us about important changes and deadlines regarding the Thrift Savings Plan and other federal benefits,” said Jackson. “He wanted to make sure we took advantage of these opportunities.”

A lifetime learner, Peterson was a graduate of the Credit Union National Association’s Financial Management School and was currently enrolled in its Volunteer Leadership Program.

“ We are deeply saddened and shocked by our sudden loss of Carl, who was a valued and respected member of the board and the Credit Union community in the metropolitan area,” said LCFCU Chairman Ed Knight. “He will be greatly missed by his many friends in the library community and by his fellow Credit Union members.”

Peterson was the driving force behind the establishment of the Library’s chapter of the Toastmaster’s Club, which received its charter on March 7, 2001. The club, which grew out of the Library’s 1999-2000 Pilot Mentoring Program (with help from the Capitol Hill Toastmaster’s Club) offers a supportive environment in which to develop speaking, leadership, and communication skills. Peterson served as the club’s first president.

“Carl was single-minded and tenacious about starting a Library of Congress Toastmaster’s Club,” said Yvonne French, senior writer-editor in the Office of the Librarian. “He wouldn’t stop until there was a club.” Then president of the Capitol Hill Toastmaster’s Club, French worked with Carl and other mentorees to establish the new club. The Toastmasters gathered on Feb. 11 to share memories of their friend, including his “infectious laugh.”

Peterson is survived by his wife Lien, daughter Tanya, and son Davin who works in the Library’s Science, Technology and Business Division.