[1] Peterson left his college studies to fulfill four years' service as a United States Navy Reserve officer in the South Pacific during World War II.

Although a Republican, Peterson believed no political party had a monopoly on good ideas, and thought of himself as a governor for all New Hampshirites.

Loeb had also attacked Peterson's daughter Margaret for her supposed support of marijuana use, causing her to suffer an emotional breakdown.

[6] After Peterson's term as governor, he became President of Franklin Pierce College in 1975, and served until his retirement in 1995.

[7] During the 2008 election cycle, Peterson served as honorary chairman of John McCain's campaign during the New Hampshire primary, and as Chairman of Republicans for Lynch, a group of Republicans supporting the re-election of Democratic governor John Lynch.

[8] At age 86, his name emerged as a possible appointee to the United States Senate if Judd Gregg accepted the offer to serve as Secretary of Commerce in the cabinet of President Barack Obama.