Tor Richter Petersen

Tor Richter Petersen, 56, loving father, son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 30, 2024, surrounded by his family in Connecticut.

Tor was born on December 22, 1968, in Carmel, New York to parents, Kristian (Kit) Petersen and Lucinda (Pfahl) Evans. Tor grew up in the Patterson, NY area and was a 1987 graduate of John Jay High School, in Hopewell Junction, NY.

Tor graduated from Pace University, with a degree in Finance in 1991 and began his career at Kraft Foods. His talent for finance helped him quickly move on to become an Auditor for Moody’s which sent him around the world and piqued his interest for both traveling and working abroad. He later became an International Financial Analyst with the Dun and Bradstreet Corporation in New York City. He joined Amerada Hess Corporation, in 1997 which led him to his first overseas assignment in Libreville, Gabon in Central Africa, after which he returned to the United States to become the controller of the fast growing start-up, The Motley Fool in Washington, DC.

Tor began his diplomatic career in 2001, when he joined the United States Foreign Service. His early assignments took him to Bogota, Colombia; Guatemala City, Guatemala; Taipei, Taiwan; and Guangzhou, China. He served as the Management Counselor and Acting Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Singapore, and as the Management Officer and Acting Consul General in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, before returning in 2024 to his beloved Taipei for his dream assignment at the American Institute in Taiwan.

In these critical roles, Tor was responsible for overseas diplomatic operations, from real estate to personnel to budgets. He was a remarkable problem-solver who advised Ambassadors, State Department leaders, and other senior U.S. government officials. Tor was deeply committed to furthering U.S. objectives abroad, especially related to democracy and human rights. He served with distinction through many challenging situations, including during crises and complex level negotiations, such as the first-ever meeting between the leaders of North Korea and the United States at the historic 2018 Singapore Summit. Throughout his career, Tor earned the respect of high-level visitors, including President George W. Bush, cabinet officials, and members of Congress. The U.S. Department of State recognized Tor’s leadership and expertise with numerous honors and awards throughout his more than 20 years of exemplary public service to the American people.

Tor was known for his character, humanity, and wit, and as a kind and thoughtful leader, who always listened carefully and sought to empower not only his own teams, but his entire communities. 

Tor welcomed his friends around the world into his home, fed them like royalty, treated them like family, and if they were lucky, graced them with deep and hearty belly laughs. While Tor thrived everywhere, he felt especially at home in Asia, where he loved to walk the neighborhoods and try new street foods. He enjoyed baseball, football, reading, cooking, photography, and colorful socks and ties, but Tor will be remembered most by all who knew him for his profound love for his family. He was so proud of his children and beamed as he spoke about each of them to whomever would listen. Whenever any of the children developed a new interest, Tor immersed himself in learning everything he could about that topic so he could support and inspire them; he pre-read any book they were assigned in school so he could discuss the lessons and stories with them, and he learned new sports so he could be their coach their youth teams, in various corners of the world. Nothing brought him more joy and pride than spending time with his children and helping them grow into the kind, accomplished young adults they are today.

Tor is survived by his four beautiful children: Catherine Eileen Petersen (22), Tor Richter Petersen, Jr. (20), Coleridge Richter Petersen (18), and Daniel Richter Petersen (16). Tor is survived by Lisa Jo (Barnell) Petersen, his former spouse and mother of his four children. Lisa remained by Tor’s side during his illness and in his final days. Tor is also survived by his father, Kristian Petersen and his wife, Marielle of California; his stepfather, Russell Evans of Carmel, NY; his brother, James Evans, also of Carmel, NY, many aunts, uncles, many cousins as well as several nieces and nephews.

Tor was predeceased by his brother, Kristian Petersen, Jr, his sister, Jennifer Evans and his mother, Lucinda (Phfal) Evans.

Family and friends will be received at a Celebration of Life on Saturday, January 4, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Regional Hospice Center for Comfort Care and Healing – 30 Milestone Road, Danbury. A short prayer service as well as Tributes & reflections of Tor will begin at 4:00 PM.

A subsequent celebration of life is planned for spring/summer 2025 in Washington, D.C.

The family would like to acknowledge the amazing staff at Regional Hospice Center for their dedication , gentle kindness, and compassion to Tor & his entire family during his final days .

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the following:  https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-loving-memory-of-tor-petersen or https://www.mollytango.org/

Kane Funeral Home, Ridgefield is in care of arrangements.

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