Peterkin, Ernest W.

Naval officer and engineer. Born 1920; died 1995.

Ernest Wilson Peterkin was born in Enfield Wash, England to American parents. He was raised first in the Boston area, and then Detroit. Peterkin was a graduate of the Lawrence Institute of Technology (in Detroit) and the University of Maryland. During World War II Peterkin served in the Navy and continued as a member of the Navy Reserve until 1980, when he retired as a captain. A 35 year employee of the Naval Research Laboratory, Peterkin retired in 1978 as manager of a project that measured solar activity.

During the 1950s Peterkin became interested in shoemaking, and apprenticed under Frederich Engleke in the 1960s. This new hobby set the stage for a second career as a historian and re-creator of colonial and civil war era military dress and shoes. After retiring, Peterkin pursued his work as a consultant on military history for several organizations.

Peterkin was a fellow of the Company of Military Historians and co-founder of the North-South Skirmish Association, which demonstrates Civil War-era weapons. As part of his involvement with war reenactment groups, he helped plan major battle anniversary programs. Additionally, Peterkin was considered an authority on Civil War monitors. His writings included two books on arms and ships and several articles, and he contributed to other authors' works concerning shoes and military dress. Each year he demonstrated his knowledge of antique footwear at a festival in Westford, VA.

Peterkin and his wife Betty were married for 47 years and were the parents of three daughters. He died January 6, 1995 at the age of 74. (Source consulted: Washington Post, January 10, 1995)

Ernest Wilson Peterkin was born in Enfield Wash, England to American parents. He was raised first in the Boston area, and then Detroit. Peterkin was a graduate of the Lawrence Institute of Technology (in Detroit) and the University of Maryland. During World War II Peterkin served in the Navy and continued as a member of the Navy Reserve until 1980, when he retired as a captain. A 35 year employee of the Naval Research Laboratory, Peterkin retired in 1978 as manager of a project that measured solar activity.

During the 1950s Peterkin became interested in shoemaking, and apprenticed under Frederich Engleke in the 1960s. This new hobby set the stage for a second career as a historian and re-creator of colonial and civil war era military dress and shoes. After retiring, Peterkin pursued his work as a consultant on military history for several organizations.

Peterkin was a fellow of the Company of Military Historians and co-founder of the North-South Skirmish Association, which demonstrates Civil War-era weapons. As part of his involvement with war reenactment groups, he helped plan major battle anniversary programs. Additionally, Peterkin was considered an authority on Civil War monitors. His writings included two books on arms and ships and several articles, and he contributed to other authors' works concerning shoes and military dress. Each year he demonstrated his knowledge of antique footwear at a festival in Westford, VA

Peterkin and his wife Betty were married for 47 years and were the parents of three daughters. He died January 6, 1995 at the age of 74.

Source Consulted: Washington Post, January 10, 1995