[object Object] A blog by Aaron Godin About Github Remembering Soren Peterson POSTED ON 2017-09-20
This last weekend, a friend and co-worker of mine passed away. In reflection on the time that I knew him, Soren Peterson had a profound impact on me, especially in regards to my work life. I didn’t get the chance to become close to him in his personal life which I now deeply regret, yet he and I had a work relationship that I truly cherish.
Soren started at Best Buy early this year. I remember interviewing him with Sean, my manager at the time. After the interview, I explained to Sean that Soren was exactly what Best Buy needed (and still needs).
He was freaking good at pulling things off, speaking to his skills as a programmer. Soren was ahead of a lot of people in many respects. He had the makings of someone who would build software that the world would depend on, and I was looking forward to working with him on the handful of projects we discussed.
Fairly often, I’ll be reading Hacker News and come across articles with titles similar to this one’s. Usually they’re about a computer scientist who passed, and people speak to his achievements and contributions to computing. Soren didn’t turn an infamous O(n²) algorithm into O(n*log(n)). He didn’t build a web framework that millions of people use. While those aren’t his accomplishments, Soren was ready and completely able to do those things. I witnessed him take projects critical to the organization and over-deliver. Those were the projects where you could tell that he thrived and felt empowered to build software.
Soren had this knack for being able to keep every detail in his head while still doing big-picture thinking. He didn’t find joy in building things that wouldn’t have far-reaching impact. As an engineer, He challenged decisions for the sake of discovery, even if he had already made up his mind that he agreed with your side.
His ability to always ask why, and still be impartial to the answer… this is what I will always remember about Soren, and something that we should all work toward.
When I told my daughter Linnea ( she is in Italy for a year) that Soren passed away she told me that she had a last good memory of him. Soren, Signe and Linnea biked from Saint Paul to the Square Lake Festival. They listened to music, watched film and had fun and camped over night. Next morning they biked back home.
Soren bought Linnea and Signe each a chocolate bar. Linnea did not eat her up, she had the rest with her to Italy. She sent me a picture of the wrapper and a last small piece of chocolate. A little bit of Soren with her to Italy.
Soren and Signe are my second cousins on my mom's side, which means that, despite our shared Peterson last name, I am related to them through Erickson blood. But I've always thought that, in some way, we must be doubly-related because we're also all Petersons. And how lucky for me, to be related in multiple ways to these two incredible people, Soren and Signe, and their amazing parents, Lisa and Drew.
Soren, your spirit and curiosity and kindness will remain forever imprinted on the souls of those who loved you. Each time I had the pleasure of bumping into you at your folk's house these past few years I felt a sense of pride in being related to you. The warmth and friendliness you exuded, your infectious smile and incredible eyes, and your technical prowess and skill in areas that are so complicated and confusing to the rest of us, but that came as second nature to you, are just a few of the parts of you that will be so greatly missed. We will miss you, but never forget you. Glad i deg, kjære Soren.
Signe, with gentle nudges and winks of support from Soren and all of the rest of us who love you SO much, you will change the world. There is no doubt in my mind. As with your brother, I am incredibly proud to call you my cousin. Over these past four years, you have taught me so much about friendship and confidence and perseverance, and I am deeply grateful to you for that. Your creativity and curiosity about the world has taken you so far already, Signe, and there is so much more to come. We are here for you always.
Lisa and Drew, one of the best parts of moving back to the Cities has been getting to know you and Signe and Soren. Your kindness and generosity has meant the world to me and I am so grateful to have you in my life. In Norwegian they say "ord blir fattige" (words aren't quite enough) and I feel that rings true right now. All I can say is that I love you both. Very much.
I remember Soren and my son Lukas having many sleepovers. They would start in one house and then continue in the next house. They would play for days together, laughing and being silly.
