Douglas W. Petersan, 81, passed away at home April 10, 2023. He was born February 15, 1942, on the family farm in rural Stanton County, Nebraska, the son of William and Theodora (Nelsen) Petersan.

Douglas graduated from Stanton High School (NE) in 1959 and then earned a business degree from Northeast Nebraska College. Thanks to his sister, he quickly found a life on the golf course. He was greenkeeper at Pioneer Park Golf Course in Lincoln (1964-1968), then at Wedgewood Golf Course in Joliet, IL (1969-1973). While in Illinois Douglas married Rae Jean Moritz (1969), originally from Stanton, NE, celebrating 53 years of marriage this past August.

Douglas returned to Nebraska to serve as superintendent at Fremont Golf Club (1973-1979) and then spent 11 seasons at Prairie Dunes in Hutchinson, Kansas (1980-1991) where he presided over the rebuilding of many greens and removal of evergreens to recapture the layout's classic linksland feel. Petersan then spent 9 seasons at Baltimore Country Club in Maryland (1991-1999) where he oversaw a complete restoration of the A.W. Tillinghast-designed Five Farms course, one of two 18-hoie layouts at the club.

He was instrumental in the creation of Sand Hilts Golf Club near Mullen, NE steering course designers arid architects Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw to Lincoln course developer Dick Youngscap. Doug was hired for the new Austin Golf Club in Texas designed by Coore and Crenshaw, where he oversaw construction and grow-in, and stayed on as greenkeeper. In 2011 the course suffered a devastating fire and again Doug oversaw the grow-in. He and Rae Jean moved to Arkansas in 2012 where he continued to consult with many courses in his retirement.

Doug sits among the country's most respected superintendents and has long advocated traditional, low-chemical regimens and common-sense solutions as part of his minimalist approach. He had the honor to mentor dozens of people throughout his career, many continuing to serve as superintendent. Petersan has served as past president of the statewide superintendent associations (GCSA) in Nebraska and Kansas and chaired the Central Plains Turf Foundation. He was inducted into the Nebraska Golf Hall of Fame in 2000 and was awarded the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America's (GCSAA) Colonel John Morley Distinguished Service Award for outstanding contributions to the advancement of the profession in 2010.

Douglas enjoyed traveling with Rae Jean and was a voracious reader. He was a lifelong Christian and member of Bella Vista Lutheran Church in Bella Vista, AR where he was on the Board of Trustees.

Douglas was predeceased in death by his parents, William, and Theodora Petersan; sisters, Eunice (McDonell) of Wheaton, IL, Myrna (Madison) of Kenner, LA, Marilyn (Frantz) of Lincoln, NE, Rena (Bowman) of Red Oak, IA, and Genevieve (Hinrichs) of Gurley, NE.

He is survived by his wife, Rae Jean; two sons, Peter and (Doron) of Washington, DC and son, Paul (Kamber) of Washington DC; grandson, Ezra; brothers, Donis of Lincoln, NE., and Melvin of San Diego, CA.; as well as by many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be on Friday, May 12, 2023, at 11:00 am at Bella Vista Lutheran Church, 1990 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista, AR 72715.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Bella Vista Lutheran Church, 1990 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista, AR 72715 and Circle of Life Hospice, 1201 NE Legacy Parkway, Bentonville, AR 72712.

Arrangements are under the direction of Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory.  On-line condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.