Eugene Petersen enjoyed a long and distinguished record of serving the sport of skiing in a number of capacities. An outstanding ski official and historian, he was the secretary of the National Ski Association from 1918 to 1921.

Eugene Petersen was a member of the Norge Ski Club of Chicago, Illinois and gave over a half-century of devotion, loyalty and hard work to promote skiing in the United States. He served in various capacities in the National Ski Association, Central U.S. Ski Association, the Central U.S. Ski Officials Association and the Norge Ski Club.

Petersen was born in Oslo, Norway on April 12, 1885. He attended the Ruslokken Public School and Kvam High School. Following further education to qualify him as a stenographer for the Norwegian Parliament he made the decision to immigrate to the United States and arrived in America in October, 1904.

After spending several years in snowless Indiana he moved to Chicago and joined the Norge Ski Club. He participated in ski jumping competitions in 1915 and 1916 and competed in Chicago, Beloit and Milwaukee tournaments. By the age of 29, after failing to achieve eminence as a jumper, Petersen became involved in the work program of the Norge Ski Club.

Peterson had a distinguished record of service to skiing:

National Ski Association of America Secretary 4 terms
Central U.S. Ski Association President 5 terms
Central U.S. Ski Officials Association Secretary 9 terms
Norge Ski Club President 2 terms
Secretary more than 10 years

Twice voted his clubs most valuable member, Petersen was recognized by the Norwegian skiing Society and awarded the “Norge Ski Forbunds Birkebeiner Silver Plaque” for excellent work for Norway’s Skisport outside the country’s borders. He also received the Central U.S. Ski Association president’s service medal.

Even at the age of eighty Petersen remained actively involved in skiing. In the fall of 1964 he attended the annual meeting of the Central U.S. Ski Officials Convention at Wausau, Wisconsin. A historian of some note, Petersen was recognized both in the United States and Norway for his historical writings. After retiring from his job with a book publishing company he moved back to his native Norway.

Eugene Petersen was elected to the U.S. National Ski Hall of Fame in 1965.