Robert Charles Peterson

Robert “Bob” Charles Peterson was born September 5th, 1953 to Robert G. and Patricia E. Peterson at Lakeview Memorial Hospital, Stillwater, Minnesota. He was baptized on October 25th, 1953, and later confirmed in the Lutheran Faith on April 30th, 1967.

Robert spent most of his school life within the Stillwater, MN School District ultimately graduating from Mechanic Arts High School, St. Paul, MN in 1971. Like his father and uncles before him, Bob chose to serve his country and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He began active duty in January of 1972 serving aboard the USS Thor, USS Aeolus, and the USS John F. Kennedy as a fi reman and later a boiler technician. He was honorably discharged in December of 1975, served an additional 2 years in the Naval Reserves and honorably discharged again in 1978. His records show that he was“…conscientious in his work and contribute[d] greatly to the morale of others; [he was] careless though in his attention to his haircuts.”

Robert married Deborah Kay Maxey on December 29th, 1973. Together, they eventually settled in St. Paul, Minnesota. Robert and Deborah welcomed their daughter Jennifer Renee Peterson in March of 1977. Their union was dissolved in October of 1982.

Robert married Sheila Mossbarger (nee Kalm) on November 26th, 1983. Bob also gained two stepchildren, Lessa & Patrick Mossbarger, along with a father-in-law William Kalm. As a new family unit, they moved from St. Paul, MN, to a hobby farm outside of River Falls, WI. It is here that Bob and Sheila raised their family and became very active members in their church.

After all their children graduated high school, Robert followed Sheila in her ministry and missionary work, eventually resettling in Cloquet MN, where they lived for 26 years. If Bob was not at work, he could be found at their church or in the missionary fi eld at Sheila’s side. His duties included: general repair and maintenance work, kitchen helper, last minute errand runner and shuttle van driver for countless activities. Bobs’ favorite part of ministry and mission work was being an honorary member of the Ministers Wives Club and a member of the Bob Club/Squad. He also volunteered time with Ruby’s Pantry (a food pantry) in Cloquet for several years.

Bob retired from the State of Minnesota in 2017 after 36 years. He had worked for both the DOC in Stillwater and the DOT out of Golden Valley and Duluth, as a boiler engineer and general maintenance worker. Bob enjoyed his job and position most in Duluth; notably when his job duties/title designated him as an offi cial BUM (building utility maintenance).

Bob enjoyed many activities including: boating/canoeing, card games, camping, collecting agates, crossword puzzles, fi shing, reading books, tinkering with cars, and traveling.

He is survived by spouse Sheila K Peterson, children, Jennifer (David) Reitz, Lessa (David) Gorgos and Patrick Mossbarger; his grandchildren Damian Reitz, Mason Gorgos, Samuel Gorgos and Tegan Gorgos; 12 nieces and nephews; sister Marjorie (Peter) Lavalier and brotherJeff ery (Jan) Peterson.

He was preceded in death by both parents (Robert G and Patrica E), both in-laws (William and Lillian), his sister Linda Sunwall (formerly Jones) and nephew Nicholas Peterson.