Carl F Peters
OBITUARY
Carl Franklin Peters passed away peacefully on October 21, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family.Born on October 28, 1933, he grew up in Detroit, Michigan, and built a life distinguished by his devotion to family, faith, friends, and a remarkable career in aerospace engineer- ing.
Carl earned his Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame in 1955. Soon after, he and Maureen O’Donnell began their life together. Their journey west along Route 66 marked the beginning of a new chapter in Southern California.On October 6, 2026, they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.
At Convair, Carl was part of the Space Race, the Cold War competition between the United Sates and the Soviet Union for space supremacy. His career encompassed the Atlas and Centaur programs, the Advanced Cruise Missile, and other stealth-related programs. He concluded his career at Hughes,retiring in 1997 after decades of cutting-edge achievements and service.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Carl’s priorities remained firmly rooted in his family, his Catholic faith, and his connection to Notre Dame. One particularly memorable occasion was celebrating his 80th birthday with his family at Notre Dame, culminating in a Notre Dame – USC football game (in the rain).
Carl’s legacy lives on in the family he loved, the friendships he forged, and the many lives he touched. He will be remembered for his intelligence, perseverance, faith, and enduring commitment to those closest to him.
Carl is survived by his wife, Maureen; daughters Kathleen Shelburne and Judith Peters (Alan Portela), son James Peters; grandchildren Blake Shelburne, Trevor Shelburne, Lindsey Peters (James) Maxwell Peters (Ari); and great-grandchildren London, Siena, Maverick, Weston and Pierce.
Services will be held at Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church in La Jolla, California, on Wednesday, October 28, at 2:00 p.m., with a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Father Joe’s Villages in Carl’s name.