John W. Peterson, III died on May 25, 2015, peacefully at home in Marblehead, Massachusetts, at 68 years of age. He was born in Philadelphia, grew up in Drexel Hill, and attended Upper Darby High School, where he was a scholar and athlete. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Honors Physics, and received a PhD from Harvard University in Biophysics. He did a post doctoral fellowship at MIT and spent 4 years at the University of Heidelberg at the Max Planck Institute, doing research and teaching anatomy and physiology. Peterson returned to Boston to be a Research Scientist at Massachusetts General Hospital in the Neurosurgical Department, working with Dr. Nicholas Zervas for 22 years. He published numerous scientific papers about the physiology of smooth muscle, and the related vascular effects of arteries and stroke. Peterson was an Assistant and then an Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School.

Peterson was the beloved husband of Pam M. Peterson, and father of Joanna, Matthew and daughter-in law to be Amanda Marsden. He is survived by a sister and brother-in-law, Elaine and Bill Peoples, brother and sister-in-law Debbie and Allen Matthias, two nieces and five great nieces and nephews.

He was a member of St. Andrews Church, where he twice served on the Vestry. Peterson was active in Marblehead Youth Baseball coaching, a member of the Swampscott Beach Club, and an enthusiastic fan of the Red Sox and New England Patriots.

The Memorial service will be private. Memorial donations in John Peterson's name may be made to Marblehead Youth Baseball at www.marbleheadyouthbaseball.assn.la. Arrangements are under the direction of the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St., Salem. For additional information or online guest book please call 781 631 8885 or visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com.