Bob Peterson

Bob Peterson 79, known by friends and family as "Big Pete", passed away at his home in San Jose following a long battle with cancer. He was born January 25, 1932 in Menlo Park, where he resided until college. A gifted athlete, Bob played basketball at Sequoia High School and later Oregon University. After graduation, Bob served in the U.S. Army and then had a professional career with the New York Knicks from 1954 to 1956. He is honored in the San Mateo County Sports Hall of Fame as the first San Mateo County resident to play in the NBA. Injuries forced his early retirement from professional basketball, and he returned to Redwood City to embark on a 40-year career in the finance and mortgage business. After retirement, Bob's love of backyard barbecuing inspired the start-up of the BBQ Boys, a successful catering business with his son Robert. Bob and his wife Jo were actively involved until his illness. Bob was a big man with a personality to match. A gentle giant, people of all ages, particularly children, were drawn to his warm and kind-hearted personality. He loved all sports, and he loved to travel, taking trips with his wife and family in their RV. He was greatly loved and will be greatly missed. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Andrea; sister, Betty; and mother, Corinne. Bob is survived by Jo, his high school sweetheart and wife of 58 years; his son, Robert of San Jose; daughters and sons-in-law, Ginny and Gary Piazza of Menlo Park; Jan and Joe Miller of Roseville, and his beloved grandchildren, Joseph and Sara Miller. Friends and family are invited to a celebration of Bob's life on October 1st at his childhood home in Menlo Park. Online condolences and information contact Jan Miller at janmiller417@yahoo.com