Robert Peterson

ROBERT PETERSONAge 82 of Maple Park, IL, passed away Monday morning, July 14, 2008 at Kindred Hospital, Sycamore, IL where he had become a patient following recent surgery. BORN / EARLY YEARSHe was born March 8, 1926 on the family farm near Maple Park where he lived his entire life. Robert attended Kenyon Country School on Peterson Rd. not far from the farm. EDUCATIONHe went on to Maple Park High School where he excelled in both baseball and basketball and graduated with the class of 1943. Between WWII and the Korean War, Robert became a member of the Illinois Militia in Sycamore, when the Reserves were called to battle. MARRIAGE & FAMILYSarah McMenamin was a senior in high school when she met Robert at the Roller Rink in DeKalb. That was the beginning of a lifetime of "skating double" . They were wed on March 22, 1947 and settled on the family farm.Robert joined his father on the family dairy farm which passed to the third generation when Robert’s son, Kevin, joined him in 1973. About the same time, Robert and his cousin, Don Castenson, purchased the Maple Park grain elevator from Jack Christensen. A few years later, Robert took over the operation and continued until the late 90’s when he sold it to A&P Grain Systems. Through the years, the way Robert ran the elevator, it doubled as a coffee shop. When Robert left the elevator, he brought the "coffee crew" with him and his barn became the "coffee shop" where world-wide issues were discussed and countless crises solved. Following his father’s death in 1976, Robert took over his position on the board at Kane County Mutual Insurance. He served 27 years there and was also past president. A man who was devoted to family and community, Robert was especially devoted to his role as Maple Park Fire District Trustee where he was currently president of the board. Serving from 1996 to the day of his death, he was instrumental in obtaining a $100,000.00 grant to purchase a new rescue vehicle for the department. Through the years, he also helped acquire a new grass fire truck, Maple Park’s first ambulance and just recently, a new fire truck whose arrival he was looking forward to in the coming weeks. He was a life-long member of the Salem Lutheran Church, and a former member of the Maple Park Lion’s Club and the Vikings Lodge, Sycamore. When his family was young, Robert coached baseball and was a Boy Scout leader as well. As the next generation came along, they knew that they could always count on grandpa being there for them at their games. Robert also loved bowling and bowled with one of his best friend, Bob Johnson, for many years. Sunday afternoons almost always included a "Sunday Ride" to check the fields around the area and just re-visit roads he’d not traveled for a while. Along the way, Robert always stopped for animals. Birds, squirrels and roadside wildlife of any kind seemed to know that they were safe if they ran out in front of Bob. He was fond of reminding his children that people should drive slower and take time to "smell the roses" Bob was basically a quiet man of few words – but when he spoke, he "called a spade a spade" and you knew where Bob stood. That included brief words of advice when his strapping young got to wrestling in the house "…if you have that much ambition you can go do the chores!"Bob was also a collector farm history, especially if it was green and yellow. His shop was overflowing with John Deere tractors and a thousand odds and ends whose history Bob knew by heart. At the end of the day, there was nothing better for Bob than his favorite chair, a glass of VO, and his faithful dog, Sam. SURVIVORS In addition to his wife Sarah "Sally" he is survived by: Four sons: Jim (Linda) Peterson Larry (Cathryn) Peterson andKevin (Linda) Peterson all of Maple Park,andDohn (Carla) Peterson of Sugar Grove, IL;nine grandchildren: Jim & Linda’s :Jodi (John) Diehl of Shabbona,Carrie (Tray) Herrmann of West Point, NY andTed Peterson of Maple Park;Larry & Cathryn’s:Rhonda (Ron) McConkey of Sycamore andTodd (Jennifer) Peterson of Elburn;Kevin & Linda’s:Kelly (Jim) Wituk andScott Peterson both of Maple Park, IL;Dohn & Carla’sAdam Sobieray andConnor Peterson, both of Sugar Grove;Twelve great grandchildren:Drew, Josie, Sarah and Delia Diehl;Lena and Will Herrmann;Logan, Grant and Isabelle McConkey;Justin Peterson, Luke and Jack Wituk.PRECEDED He is preceded in death by his parents, Reuben E. and Lillie V. (Johnson) Peterson; one sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy (Wesley) Swanson; one nephew Bill Swanson; one daughter-in-law Kathy Peterson and his beloved dog, Sam. VISITATION / FUNERAL Visitation will be held Thursday, July 17, from 2-8 pm at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce Street, Elburn. His funeral service will be held Friday July 18, 2008 at 10:30am at Salem Lutheran Church, Rt. 23, Sycamore. The Rev. Dr. Janet Hunt will officiate and interment will follow at Gardner Cemetery, Maple Park. For information, call 630-365-6414 / 800-8-CONLEY.MEMORIAL A memorial has been established in Robert’s name to benefit his community and favorite charities. Memorials checks may be made to the ¬¬ Robert Peterson Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories may also be forwarded to the family at the same address or through his obituary at www.conleycare.com.

Visitation will be held Thursday, July 17, from 2-8 pm at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce Street, Elburn. His funeral service will be held Friday July 18, 2008 at 10:30am at Salem Lutheran Church, Rt. 23, Sycamore. The Rev. Dr. Janet Hunt will officiate and interment will follow at Gardner Cemetery, Maple Park.

A memorial has been established in Robert’s name to benefit his community and favorite charities. Memorials checks may be made to the ¬¬ Robert Peterson Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119.