Max Paul Petersen MIDDLEBURY Max Petersen, 80, a native Vermonter, noted local historian, and life of the party, ended his walk with Alzheimers on Monday, September 22, 2014 at the Haven at the Residence at Otter Creek in Middlebury. Max was born in Salisbury on June 12, 1934, the son of James and Emma (Mayhew) Petersen. He attended Middlebury High School, class of 1951, then studied Political Science at the University of Vermont from 1951-1955. After college he traveled to Plainville, CT where he became a reporter for the Plainville News and met his wife Rosemary Provencher. He did a two year stint in the U.S. Army Special Forces at Fort Bragg, NC then married on the 4th of July, 1959. Max moved his family to Vermont in 1963 when he became sports information director at Middlebury College, a position he held until 1991. In addition to his work at the college, where he met generations of student-athletes, Max was one of Vermonts most revered local historians writing histories of Salisbury, glassmaking in Vermont, Lake Dunmore and Shard Villa. In his spare time he renovated houses with his brother, Joe; played a mean game of horseshoes; indulged his interest in antique cars and the Civil War; served on Shard Villas board of trustees and looked forward to deer hunting with the boys. Max is survived by his daughter Karen Petersen and her husband Kurt Plank of North Ferrisburgh; his brother James Petersen of Salisbury; sister Jacqueline English of White River Junction; and sister Helen Aulis of White River Junction; sister-in-law Mary Provencher of Plainville, CT; brother-in-law Robert Provencher and wife Charlotte of West Hartford, CT; granddaughter Phoebe Plank; several nieces and nephews. He was especially grateful for the support of his nephew, Mark and a dear friend, Cheryl Dwyer. He was predeceased by his parents; his wife, Rosemary; brothers-in-law Larry English, Ralph Aulis, and Jerry Provencher; sister-in-law Margaret Provencher; and nephew James Petersen. Max and the family wish to extend their deep love and gratitude to the extraordinary care team at the Haven who cared for him as one of their own particularly, Andrea, Deb, Ginger, Jeannette, John, Sarah, Shelby, Tina-marie, Virginia, Will and all those who kept him safe and happy on his journey. Graveside services will held on Saturday, October 4, 2014 at 11 AM at Holman Cemetery, Holman Rd. ,Salisbury with Rev. Gary Lewis officiating. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift in Maxs memory to Shard Villa, 1177 Shard Villa Road, Salisbury, VT 05769, Salisbury Historical Society, PO Box 40, Salisbury, VT 05769, or the Alzheimers Association. Arrangements are under the direction of Sanderson-Ducharme Funeral Home, Middlebury. www.sandersonfuneralservice.com.