Robert J. "Bob" Peterson Sr., Lieutenant Colonel United States Army Reserve Retired age 89, of Parkville, MN died Tuesday, February 26, 2013, in his home. He was born March 8, 1923 in Duluth, the son of Alfred and Signe (Mathieson) Peterson, and was a graduate of Duluth Central High School, class of 1942. Robert was a rifle platoon leader in Company B 27th Armored Infantry Battalion, 9th Armored Division, and participated in the Ardennes and Rhineland Campaigns. He was wounded in action during the advance to the Rhine River on March 2, 1945 and was a two-time recipient of the Purple Heart. Robert served as the Company Commander of Company C, 2nd Armored Cavalry in Germany during the Korean War. He worked as an apprentice lineman for Minnesota Power between World War II and the Korean War. Robert married Jeannette Anne Nelson on August 21, 1948 in the Faith Lutheran Church in Denham, MN and was a longtime resident of Parkville. After his discharge from active duty, he was employed as an individual salesman specializing in ball and roller bearings with Minnesota Bearing Company until his retirement in 1987. Robert was active in the Army Reserve affairs until 1973, including being the Commanding Officer of Company C, 367th Engineer Battalion in Duluth. He was Secretary/Treasurer of the 27th Armored Infantry Battalion Association. He competed in rifle marksmanship, cross/country skiing and helped with trail maintenance and construction in the Virginia area. Robert enjoyed gardening and all outdoor activities. He was a member of Gethsemane Evangelical Lutheran Church, Virginia Rifle & Pistol Club as well as many veterans organizations including the: Disabled American Veterans Kolstad Chapter # 23, Military Order of the Purple Heart Nels Wold Chapter #5, Retired Officers Association Head O Lakes Chapter, Military Order of World Wars Fort Snelling Chapter, the National Rifle Association and Minnesota Rifle and Revolver Association.
Robert is survived by his wife: Jeannette; daughters: Claudia (David) Hendrickson of Embarrass, Julia (Stephen) Gladhill of Fridley, MN, Laura (Bernie) Zollar of Soudan; son: Robert Jr. (Ruth) Peterson of Pharr, TX; grandchildren: David Olson, Patrick Garcia, Jason (Amanda Prines) Kallin, MacKenzie Mills, Marilyn (Darren Arnett) Mills, Annie (David Waytz) Jacobsen, Christopher (Dana) Jacobsen, Dylan Zollar, Shiloh Peterson, Aliya Peterson, Cassidy Peterson, and Grant Peterson; great-grandchildren: Irwin Wallace Kallin and Maggie Rose Law and a host of friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Roy and Warren Peterson
Visitation will be held Monday, March 4, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. Funeral Service at Gethsemane Evangelical Lutheran Church in Virginia. Pastor Nathan Sager will officiate. Military honors will be accorded by the Virginia Servicemen's Honor Guard. Inurnment will take place at a later date.
Family services are provided by Bauman-Cron, a Bauman Family Funeral Home, in Virginia. To express condolences on-line please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com.

Visitation

Monday March 4, 2013 , 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Gethsemane Evangelical Lutheran Church

Funeral Service

Monday March 4, 2013 , 11:00 a.m.

Gethsemane Evangelical Lutheran Church

Military Honors Accorded by the Virginia Servicemen's Honor Guard