Robert "Rob" P. Peterson

Rob was born February 18, 1951 in Cheyenne, Wyoming to Lewis “Pete” and Carol (Yost) Peterson. He was the oldest of three brothers and they had many adventures in Wyoming and Nebraska before moving to California where Rob graduated from Concord High School in 1969. He attended college in Hayward, California before moving on to Whitworth College in Washington where he graduated in 1978. He later went on to receive his Masters in Theology and Counseling from North Park University in 1982. Rob was married from 1974 to 2018 to Kathy Sellman. His occupation was a Christian minister with the Evangelical Covenant Church and he led many congregants from Illinois, to California, to Minnesota, to Florida from 1980 to 2010. He loved to relate and listen to others, and even went back to school to learn American Sign Language to be able to better communicate with his church’s deaf community. His hobbies included photography, golf, reading and cooking for others. He was known for his famous salsa and enchiladas mole. He loved music and always sang along to whatever was playing- classic rock, blues, oldies, or Christian hits. He enjoyed watching baseball (SF Giants), basketball (Warriors), golf, and especially football as a lifelong Raiders fan. He also loved spending time with his children and adored his granddaughters.

Rob is survived by four children, whom he shared with his former spouse: his son, Joel and his wife Elizabeth of Beaverton, OR, daughter Rachel of Livermore, CA, daughter Sarah and husband Scott of San Jose, CA, and son Luke of Los Angeles, CA. He is also survived by three granddaughters: Sofia, Emma, and Sadie; his brother Randy and his sister-in-law Mary of Sweet Home, OR; his mother, Carol of Salem, OR, and two nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Pete, and his brother Rick. 

Due to COVID restrictions, a small family service took place August 7, 2021. In lieu of flowers, his family asks that donations be made in Rob’s memory go to Young Life, the organization through which he first met his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. www.younglife.org/give.