Dr. Rebecca Dawn Petersen

It is with great sadness that we announce that Dr. Rebecca “Becky” Dawn Petersen passed away on Monday, June 10, 2024, due to complications of cardiac arrest. She was 55 years old.

Becky was born on Independence Day, July 4, 1968, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  When she was young, she thought for several years that the entire Nation was celebrating her birthday with her (that is until her older sister spilled the beans!). Who would have thought that 40 years later she would be giving birth to her daughter, also born on the 4th of July!

As a pre-teen, Becky went forward at a Youth for Christ rally to receive Jesus into her heart. Many years later she was baptized (along with her son) at a United Methodist Church in San Antonio, TX. 

Becky went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree at Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri, a Master of Science degree at Arizona State University – Tempe, and finally a PhD in Justice Studies, also at Arizona State University – Tempe. She reached the top!

Becky spent a lifetime of teaching, first as an instructor of Juvenile Justice/Delinquency at Arizona State University, then as an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at the University of Texas and ultimately the past 17 years at Kennesaw State University where she finished out as an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice.  Her areas of expertise were juvenile justice, juvenile delinquency, youth gangs, and research methods. She published two books, along with several other articles, was on several committees, and conducted several conference presentations.  Among the many awards she received, selected honors, and accolades, Becky was chosen four times to be named among the Who’s Who of America. She truly loved teaching from an early age, but always in person.

Becky enjoyed living in Arizona in her early adult years. She had a dramatic laugh, so you never had to guess how she felt. After moving to Georgia, she hung out at the pool quite a bit, yet longed to go south and spend time at the beach and just “chillax”.  She would even pull out her clarinet occasionally and play. Her greatest love, however, was her two kids. Becky made sure to take an annual trip up to the Twin Cities in Minnesota with her two kids.

Becky is preceded in death by her dad Dean Petersen (KS) and grandma Margorie Gunsell (MN), plus a few other relatives. 

She is survived by her mom Karen Petersen (KS), son Dylan Petersen (GA), daughter Ashley Petersen (GA), sister Erica May and her husband Brad (FL), sister Trina Petersen (KS), brother Derek Petersen and his wife Emily (AL), aunt Sharen Turk (MN), uncle Larry Petersen and his wife Lynne (MN), along with several other aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended relatives. 

If you would like to memorialize Becky please consider donating to: samaritanspurse.org. You may write a remembrance at: phoenixfuneralservicesinc.com

Becky’s death took us all by surprise. No one is promised tomorrow.  If you are uncertain where you will spend eternity after this life is over, please check out: stepstopeace.org where it is explained through God’s love how Jesus offers each one of us eternal life through a repentant heart and a life totally surrendered to Him! 

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