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Submitted: 8/23/17 • Approved: 8/26/17 • Last Updated: 8/29/17 • R1191144-G0-S3
COLONEL US Air Force
Vietnam
December 3, 1930 - June 17, 2012
Robert "Bob" G. Petersen, Col. USAFR, Ret. passed away on June 17, 2012.
Bob was born December 3, 1930 in Little Rock, Arkansas to his parents, Nell and Gregg Petersen.
He graduated from Little Rock High School and attained his undergraduate degree from Hendrix College. He went on to receive a Master's degree from the University of Arkansas and began his teaching and coaching career in 1960 at Jeff Davis High School in North Little Rock. Bob moved on to become coach and athletic director at Northwest Mississippi Junior College and then on to Kilgore Junior College where the team won the 1966 NJCAA National Championship. For this accomplishment the entire Kilgore football team was inducted into the 2008 National Junior College Athletics Assn. Hall of Fame. After a brief coaching stint at Louisiana College, Bob became a pharmaceutical representative for Smith, Kline & French in Monroe, Louisiana. From there, he became a representative for E. R. Squibb in North Little Rock. He retired in 1986.
Bob served in the United States Air Force Reserves. He was Commander of the 96 MAPS at the Little Rock Air Force Base. He specialized in proper aircraft loading techniques of C130s deployed from LRAFB. He was an Air Force liaison to Adjutant General Harold Gwatney.
Bob was an ardent supporter of Camp Aldersgate. He volunteered his time to support and educate people on the importance of such a wonderful organization. He was also a member of the North Little Rock Rotary Club where he actively participated in the club's charity efforts. One in particular was the "I Like Me" Books for Kindergarten Children.
Bob leaves behind his loving wife, Melba, of 55 years. Two sons, R. Gregg Petersen, II and his wife Marie D. Friend and Steven B. Petersen and his wife Denise, both of Little Rock. Grandson, Joseph Petersen, wife Patience and great grandson Jaiden, and grandsons, Jordan Petersen and Garrett Burrow and granddaughters, Laura Taylor Burrow and Mary Katherine Burrow. Two sisters, Barbara Huban of Conway and Andrea Gillespie and her husband Melvin of Beaver Creek, Ohio. Two nephews, John Huban, his wife Sarah Marie and daughter Emma of Decater, GA. and, Andrew Gillespie, his wife Jennifer and daughter Olivia of Columbus, Ohio.
A graveside service will be held 10:00 a.m., Friday at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday at First United Methodist Church located in North Little Rock at 6701 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, followed by a visitation at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for gifts to be sent to Camp Aldersgate, 2000 Aldersgate Road, Little Rock, AR 72205. The First United Methodist Church Library Fund, 6701 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, North Little Rock, AR 72116 or the NLR Rotary Club, c/o "I Like Me", P. O. Box 651, North Little Rock, AR 72115.
Arrangements by North Little Rock Funeral Home,
Section C Site 321
Contributed on 8/23/17 by hawkinsdonna48
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Record #: 1191144