Meet Richard Petersen ‘72 (CCS Physics) | UCSB College of Creative Studies

Petersen fondly recalls his days at CCS + shares his life post-UCSB

Left: Richard’s parents. Middle: Richard’s sister. Right: Richard and his CCS girlfriend.

Richard Petersen ‘72 (CCS Physics) recently contacted the College of Creative Studies (CCS) in his pursuit to reconnect and give back to the College with a generous donation to support the CCS student community. In his story, Richard recalls pursuing physics and the opportunity the College provided him to dive into sculpturing and other pursuits. In addition, Richard shares his post-CCS professional and personal adventures.

“Being accepted and being a part of the College of Creative Studies…was a gift that stays with me always”

—Richard Petersen ‘72 (CCS Physics)

Being accepted and being a part of the College of Creative Studies in Physics (1968-1972) was a gift that stays with me always. My Miramonte High School math teacher suggested it and I was somehow accepted to CCS even though I had not yet finished high school—and never finished my senior year at Miramonte—perhaps good SAT test scores might have helped. I never applied to any other college.

Richard Petersen '72 (CCS Physics) and his memories of Isla Vista.

It was a great 4 years, working with Professor Herbert P. Broida in his Spectroscopy Lab, working in the Biology lab growing e-coli cultures, and working in the bronze casting sculpture studio. I even got involved romantically with an art major at CCS–she was a great painter. I seem to recall interacting with another student, a math major, who was a chess champion. Those were great years that I will always appreciate. Marvin Mudrick was the CCS Provost at the time. I lived in Isla Vista and was known for my cuddle tub, barely held two people, and made of two-by-tens, doweled, pegged, glued, and then glassed with resin!

I was dealt some good cards with parents that cared. My father was a Professor of Chemical Engineering at UC Berkeley and my mother was engaged in the community. My mother’s father had a cattle ranch in the state of Washington where I would spend the summers.

“It was a great 4 years, working with Professor Herbert P. Broida in his Spectroscopy Lab, working in the Biology lab growing e-coli cultures, and working in the bronze casting sculpture studio.

—Richard Petersen ‘72 (CCS Physics)

The Cuddle Tub by Richard Petersen '72 (CCS Physics).

Upon graduating from CCS, I had several jobs. I worked for Burroughs Corp in Goleta, followed by MiniCars, a company that did car crash testing and modeling contracts for the United States federal government. I even got to meet John DeLorean in Detroit. From there, I started PolyMorphic Systems in Santa Barbara to build computer cards and even complete computer systems, which was used to write the original manual for the Apple II computer. I then moved to Sunnyvale to work for Intel in their major accounts group. During that time, I met Steve Jobs [co-founder of Apple Computer, now Apple] in a 10X10 booth in Mountain View and visited the company’s early offices. In addition, I did contact programming for Singer-Link in Sunnyvale for one of their flight simulators to train B-52 pilots for bombing rounds over the Soviet Union. I left that company to start a business selling diskettes with software (PC-SIG) which grew to 50 employees and later expanded into VHS cassette duplication. Bob Chitester selected my company to be the publisher/distributor of the PBS Free to Choose series featuring Milton Friedman.

Richard Petersen ‘72 (CCS Physics) in his garden at home in San Francisco

I ended up in San Francisco where I have been involved in the Art scene up until the present, and currently live in the Bayview of San Francisco with my artist girlfriend of over 30 years. I am the proud father of one daughter, Jessica, and a grandchild, Scarlett, who just turned 7.

My advice to current and future students is to enjoy the opportunity that CCS provides and the chance to work with individual professors. In addition, pursue something in life that you have a passion for and that excites you. And learning is lifelong.

—Richard Petersen ‘72 (CCS Physics)

Photos Courtesy of Richard Petersen '72 (CCS Physics)

Building community and belonging remains a priority at the College. The initiative by Richard to reconnect with the College was most welcome! Whether you connect with us digitally or in person, building 494 is always open for our alumni and members of the CCS community.