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SALT LAKE CITY — Chase Peterson, longtime educator and former president of the University of Utah has died.
His family says he died Sunday due to complications from pneumonia.
Peterson served as president of the university from 1983 to 1991. Prior to that, he headed up the U.'s health sciences programs, and became a well-known face in the media when the world's first artificial heart transplant was performed in 1982
Current university president David Pershing issued the following statement:
“The University of Utah and the state of Utah were greatly blessed by the service Chase Peterson rendered to thousands of students for more than three decades. He was known by most as president of the University of Utah, but his service extended beyond his tenure as leader of this institution. Even in these last years, he continued to teach and touch lives in countless ways. He will be greatly missed.”
Peterson was 84. Funeral arrangements are pending.