Robert Peterson

Obituary of Robert Peterson Robert (Bob) J. Peterson, Professional Engineer, passed away peacefully at the Omega House in Houghton on March 9, 2013, after a lengthy illness. He was born in Ironwood in 1923 to Leonard and Mary (Carli) Peterson. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Dolores Peterson, his brothers, John (Kathleen) Peterson, Melvin Peterson, Raymond (Julia) Peterson, and William (Faye) Peterson and by his beloved wife, Rita (Bishop) Peterson.Bob attended St. Ambrose Grade School and Luther L. Wright High School in Ironwood. He earned a BS in Civil Engineering from Michigan Technological University, where he also captained the football team. He earned an MS in Civil Engineering from University of Minnesota, with a specialization in water treatment.During World War II, Bob interrupted his studies at MTU and enlisted in the Army Air Corps. As a Second Lieutenant, he served as bombardier on a B-24 Liberator. He was shot down over Germany and spent 14 months as a prisoner of war, earning a Purple Heart. After the war, he returned to MTU to finish his degree. He married Rita J. Bishop in September of 1945.They moved to Lansing, where Bob worked for the Department of Health. They later moved to Detroit, where he worked for Dubois-Cooper as a manufacturers' representative for companies which make water treatment equipment. Later, he and John Matz began their own business, Peterson and Matz, which now has offices in Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin and represents manufacturers in the municipal, industrial and wastewater treatment industries.Bob is survived by his sister, Mary (Jack) Storer, his sister-in-law, Ethel Bishop; his four children, Terry Peterson, Michael (Diane) Peterson, Barbara Zackal and Nancy Wilson; ten grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and twenty nieces and nephews.Visitation will be at the Plowe Funeral Home on Friday, March 15 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The funeral Mass, with military honors, will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 16, at St. Anne Church in Chassell. The family will receive friends before Mass from 10:00 am until 11:00 am. Lunch will follow the Mass. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Anne Church or to the Omega House. Burial for Bob and Rita will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.Service Information To send flowers to the family of Robert Peterson, please visit Tribute Store