Rev. Robert Charles Dr. Peterson

Rev. Dr. Robert Charles Peterson
The Rev. Dr. Robert Charles Peterson, 62, of Butler passed away at 3:10 a.m. Wednesday at the VNA Inpatient Hospice.
He was born on Sept. 29, 1950, in Meadville to the late Victor C. Peterson and Ruth (Mehring) Peterson.
The Rev. Dr. Peterson graduated from Meadville High School in 1968 and graduated from Grove City College in 1972. He received his master of divinity degree from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary in 1975.
The Rev. Dr. Peterson began his pastoral ministry at the Clintonville and Scrubgrass United Presbyterian churches in 1975. In 1981, he joined the Presbyterian Church in America and served the Scrubgrass Stone Church until 1985. He came to the St. John's Reformed Church in 1985.
He received his doctor of ministry from Westminster Theological Seminary in 1988. To help with his education expenses he worked seven summers at Conneaut Lake Park. He often used those work experiences to illustrate his sermons.
The Rev. Dr. Peterson was a member of Kiwanis Club of Butler and the board of Connoquenessing Meals on Wheels. He was the chaplain for the Meridian Volunteer Fire Company for many years.
He attended the General Assembly of the PCA most years and served on various General Assembly Committees. The Rev. Dr. Peterson was the chairman of the Candidates Committee of Ascension Presbytery of the PCA. He made two mission trips to Gonaives, Haiti, to help with a building project and to teach a course in church history at the mission's university. He enjoyed watching all the Pittsburgh sports teams. He also enjoyed bird watching with his wife, Karen.
The Rev. Dr. Peterson is survived by his wife, Karen L. (Carr) Peterson, who he married on June 22, 1975; one son, John Robert Peterson of Pittsburgh; his mother-in-law, Marilyn Carr of Austin, Texas; one brother-in-law, Bill Carr and his wife, Mary Lou Price, of Austin, Texas, and by his beloved members of the St. John's Reformed Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
PETERSON - The friends of Rev. Dr. Robert Charles Peterson, who passed away Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013, will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Thompson-Miller Funeral Home, 124 E. North St., Butler.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. John's Reformed Church, 494 Evans City Road, Butler, with Pastor Jerry Maguire of the Redeemer Presbyterian Church in America in Concord, Mass., officiating.
Burial will take place in Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Meadville.
In lieu of flowers, please give to the memorial fund of the St. John's Reformed Church, 494 Evans City Road, Butler, PA 16001, the Salvation Army, 313 W. Cunningham St., Butler, PA 16001, or to a charity of your choice.
Private online condolences can be given at www.thompson-miller.com.