Robert Hilding Peterson

Bob grew up in the Linwood neighborhood of St. Paul and attended St. Paul Central HS where he graduated in 1948. He spent many hours playing softball, baseball and football.

Bob served in the Army (16th Signal Corp and later the 505th) from March 1951 - March 1953, where he gained the rank of Sargent. After coming home, he returned to the University of MN to study Agronomy and later became a corn breeder for the U of M.

Bob married Joanne Bloomdall on December 29, 1953. In the next few years, Bob and Joanne set up housekeeping in St. Anthony Park and had three children; Diane, Daniel and Eric. Bob was very involved in the neighborhood and St. Anthony Park Lutheran church where he organized a softball team that attracted a variety of characters. Bob was an active volunteer; tutoring math at Murray Magnet school and coaching youth sports.

Bob’s career at the University of Minnesota lasted more than 40 years. He worked developing hybrids and friends, which included colleagues from around the world and many many students. Some of his favorite memories were organizing corn feeds and tending his winter research in Hawaii (Molokai). After retiring from the U of M, Bob went on to become the research director for Brown’s Seed where he collaborated to develop three patents in High Oil corn. Oh how he loved the camaraderie!

While Bob was in graduate school he became involved with the Minnesota State Fair Horse Show. He served as Assistant Horse Barn manager and Barn manager for 27 years and Horse Show Superintendent for another 15. Another opportunity to make more friends and have fun.

Bob remained lifelong friends with many people.

The Olson’s, Borgeson’s, Thomas’s and the Old Farhts club to name a few.

Bob’s family was the most important aspect of his life. He had a 60 year marriage with his wife Joanne. Their three children gave them eight grandchildren; Miranda, Tammy Lynn, Kristina, Nick, Cassie, Jonah, Mathias and Anders. He also had two great grand daughters; Nora and Linnaea. He loved his son-in-law Peter Schaps and daughter-in-law Ann Peterson as his own. We spent lot of time together, we did life together as a family . Bob’s favorite place was with family at the cabin. Many wonderful memories at the lake.

Most of all Bob loved us all with his whole heart!

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sunsetfuneralservices.com for the Peterson family.