Hamlet Peterson

Hamlet Albert Peterson, aged 93, died peacefully on August 26, 2025 in Rochester, MN after a brief illness. Hamlet was born in Decorah, Iowa, the 2nd of 3 children of Hamlet and Thelma Peterson. After graduating from Decorah High School, he attended Luther College in Decorah, earning a BA in Biology in 1954. He graduated from the University of Iowa Medical School in 1958 and completed internship at the District of Columbia General Hospital in Washington, D.C. in 1959. He volunteered for service, and was commissioned as a general medical officer, stationed at the US Air Force base hospital in Wiesbaden, Germany for 3 years. From 1962-66, he completed residency training in Orthopedics at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. In 1967 he joined the Mayo Clinic Orthopedics staff as a Consultant in Orthopedic Surgery and received an M.S. in Orthopedic Surgery from the University of Minnesota in 1969. In 1997 he retired from Mayo as Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Chief, Division of Pediatric Orthopedics.

In 1956, Hamlet married Barbara Ann Knuth and together they raised 3 children. They later divorced. In 1988, Hamlet married Suzanne Lynn Shortall. Suzanne provided comprehensive loving care for Hamlet as he dealt with major health challenges in his final years.

Hamlet was a world authority in the management of children's bone growth abnormalities. He performed hundreds of surgeries to help patients with growth plate injuries and spinal disorders. As a surgeon, Hamlet had a sterling international reputation; he was also highly regarded as a scholar and leader. Stating that "the pen is mightier than the scalpel," he conducted research throughout his career and retirement. Focusing on the epidemiology and surgical outcomes of pediatric orthopedic disorders, he authored 111 scientific papers and 36 book chapters; he lectured worldwide. After retiring from surgery, he continued scholarly work, writing 2 books on growth plate injuries and co-authoring a final journal article at age 91. Throughout his later career and retirement, Hamlet's wife Suzanne supplied crucial research, technical, and editorial help with all of his scholarly writing. He played a seminal role in the organization of his chosen subspecialty. In 1974, he co-chaired an inaugural study conference for 9 young pediatric orthopedists in Rochester. The meeting was a galvanizing forerunner to the academic gatherings of the current Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America, which conferred on Hamlet a Distinguished Achievement award in 2003. He was a member of innumerable other medical organizations.

Hamlet loved sports. In high school, he was a standout multi-sport athlete who garnered all-state honors as quarterback of the football team. At Luther College, he led varsity basketball and football teams to multiple Iowa Conference championships; he was later inducted into Luther's Athletic Hall of Fame. His prowess as a quarterback led to a tryout invitation from George Halas of the Chicago Bears. After college he pursued tennis, reasoning that "it is a sport you can play for life." He wielded a racquet competitively for over 70 years, persisting even after knee & hip joint replacements, until the age of 91. He could demoralize opponents (who were often much younger) by deploying the "Hammie", a wicked, point-ending short spin volley.

Hamlet loved the great outdoors. For over 35 years, he led numerous canoe-camping trips with family and friends to Minnesota's Boundary Waters wilderness and the Sierras. On summer weekends, he paddled the rivers of southeastern Minnesota and northeastern Iowa. Vacations often featured rigorous hiking or skiing itineraries in the US and abroad. In retirement with Suzanne, he travelled extensively by ocean-going cargo ship, riverboat, bicycle, and on foot to adventure on 6 continents. At 80, he led family to the summit of Gaustatoppen, the highest mountain in Telemark, the ancestral home of his Norwegian forebears.

He provided major support for educational and extracurricular pursuits of his children and grandchildren. Proud as he was of their accomplishments, Hamlet displayed mischievous pleasure when he repeatedly defeated younger family members in favorite card games. He was immensely proud of his Norwegian heritage, and of his small-town and agricultural roots. He was a trustee, life long member, and supporter of Vesterheim Museum in Decorah. He wrote extensively on genealogical topics and enjoyed ethnic food. With Suzanne, he produced Norwegian flatbread notable for its ineffable thinness, as well as excellent lefse. He consumed, with apparent relish, lutefisk at holiday time, without fail through his final years.

Hamlet is preceded in death by his parents, brother Luther, and sister Helen. He is survived by his wife Suzanne; son Erik (Heidi), daughter Heidi Knuth, and son Nils; 3 nephews, one niece, 2 cousins, and grandchildren Benjamin, Christian, Conner, Simon, Jack, and Alex.

The family would like to thank Methodist Hospital and Seasons Hospice Staff for the excellent care provided to Hamlet. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Luther College, Seasons Hospice, or Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00am on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 1212 12th Ave. NW, Rochester, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Peterson family. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com.