Peter Mark Knutson

Peter Mark Knutson
June 13, 1944 - August 18, 2023

Peter Knutson, 79, passed away on Friday, August 18th at Porter Hospital in Denver, Colorado. 

Born in Aurora, Illinois, and raised by his mother and stepfather on a family farm. Peter then served in the United States Army from 1968 to 1972 during the Vietnam War. He was stationed mainly in Germany.

Upon returning home, Peter spent time as a commercial pilot near Reno, NV, and as a barber in Chicago before attending college, then earning his masters degree in counseling psychology. In becoming a psychotherapist he had found his calling. From that point forward, helping others became his career and life's work.

In 1978 Peter learned that his biological father, Stanley Olsen - whom he was originally told was killed in World War II -may actually be alive. Peter began an extensive search, eventually locating and meeting his father just months before the birth of his own son.

Peter's career as a counseling psychologist spanned nearly five decades, working in the corporate world as well as in his own private practice. Throughout his career he counseled and helped many hundreds of clients, while also exploring his own path toward fulfillment and acceptance. He was active in his faith joining both Unitarian Universalist and Christian congregations at various times - he also studied Zen Buddhism and meditated daily.

Peter was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Seeger and Stanley Olsen. He is survived by his son, Jeffrey Knutson along with his wife Laura Caprio and their two children, Oliver and Alister. Peter is also survived by his ex-wife, Diane Knutson, and his half brother and half sister, Greg Olsen, and Marsha Murphy.

A memorial with military honors will take place on Wednesday, August 30th, 11:00 a.m., Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, CO. A celebration of Peter's life will be held at a later date.