Robert Harold Petersen

1934 - 2018

Robert Harold Petersen obituary, 1934-2018, Rockford, IL

BORN

1934

DIED

2018

FUNERAL HOME

Grace Funeral & Cremation Services

4301 N. Main Street

Rockford, Illinois

Robert Petersen Obituary

Robert Harold Petersen

Robert Harold Petersen, 83, of Rockford died on January 20, 2018 in his home. Born October 14, 1934 in Toledo, OH, son of Clarence and Dorothy (Tober) Petersen. Graduate of Waite High School in Toledo, where he participated in cheerleading and National Honor Society. United in marriage to Patricia Ziegler on August 10, 1955 in Toledo. Robert attended college for a year, prior to being drafted into the United States Army, serving in the 4th Armored Division from 1955-1957. He was deployed to Germany, where he started the American Youth Abroad organization with his wife; providing activities for children on base. He and his wife co-founded Open Door Society, an advocacy organization promoting mixed race adoptions, he and his wife adopted four children, and fostered several more throughout the course of their marriage. He was a founding member of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in McHenry, where he sang in the choir. Robert was a Systems Analyst for Quaker Oats, Montgomery Ward and Johns Manville. Robert is survived by his wife, Patt; children, John (Catherine) Petersen of Rockford, Christen Huff of McHenry, Kim (Michael) Thomas of Waukegan, Jesse Petersen of Chicago, Scott (Jennifer) Petersen of Machesney Park; grandchildren, Jennifer, Jessica, Joey, Justin, Logan, Jarrett, Zach, Najee, Kimiko, Kyari, Phillip, Maya, Miles; sisters, Marie Knudson of Toledo, OH, and Mary Dress of Littleton, CO. Preceded in death by his parents, in-laws, Robert and Martha Lloyd, brother-in-law, Jim Dress and special friend, Joey Flores. Memorial Visitation on Friday, February 9, 2018 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Grace Funeral & Cremation Services, 1340 S. Alpine Rd., Rockford – at Colonial Village. Share a memory or condolence at

www.graceFH.com



View the online memorial for Robert Harold Petersen

Published by The Blade on Feb. 4, 2018.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Petersen

Sponsored by Grace Funeral & Cremation Services.

Not sure what to say?





6 Entries

a loved one

February 9, 2018

Prayers to Aunt Pat and family. Much love to all.

John and Kathi Grimes

February 7, 2018

The memory that stands out most for me is when my mother and I would go visit them in McHenry. Bob would light his pipe in the evening and be reading a book. The tobacco from his pipe was a sweet smelling cherry that filled the house (in a good way). ---the best was at Christmas time

February 6, 2018

Diana Ahrens

February 6, 2018

Our condolences to the family. May God fulfill his promise of binding up the brokenhearted. Isa 61:1

February 2, 2018

He was a dear sweet man who meant so much to me. I will never forget the time out in Colorado when he felt he had had a little too much to drink and trusted me to drive us home from the restaurant. I was told he did not usually let someone else drive so it made me feel really good. He was always there for us and made my life and my kids lives better for knowing him. I was already missing him. Now my heart is filled with extreme sadness.

Kimberly Hansen

Family

January 24, 2018

Showing 1 - 6 of 6 results

Make a Donation
in Robert Petersen's name

Memorial Events
for Robert Petersen

Feb

9

Visitation

1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Grace Funeral & Cremation Services

4301 N. Main Street, Rockford, IL 61103

Funeral services provided by:

Grace Funeral & Cremation Services

4301 N. Main Street, Rockford, IL 61103

How to support Robert's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Robert Petersen's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more