Robert "Bob" Petersen

Robert Luar Petersen was born on February 7^th, 1938, and he passed away on October 26^th, 2022, at the age of 84.  He lived most of his life in Anita Iowa.  Robert was known as Bob or Pete to his friends and family.  He was a true jack of all trades and master of many.  Bob graduated from Anita High School in 1956, graduating with honors for Declamatory Skills where he participated and won statewide speech events.  His intelligence and communications skills served him well at Iowa State and Iowa which he attended in the late fifties. This skill brought him success in sales which he worked at in several capacities including being a stockbroker in the 1960’s. He later entered public service and was the Anita Iowa Chief of Police in the 1970’s, worked for the Postal Service as a mail carrier, and for the city of Anita as City Manager.  After retirement, he stayed busy operating his own antique business successfully for many years.  Bob served in the military from 1961 to 1975 serving honorably in the Army Reserve and National Guard, achieving the rank of Sergeant. 

Bob’s first love was his family.  Barb was the love of his life and with her had many adventures and overcame many challenges in their long and successful marriage, always working together.  He was very proud of his sons and loved to hear about what was going on in their lives.  He loved his grandchildren and had a great amount of fun watching them grow and accomplish things; they made him proud. 

He was always ready with a story or a joke and had a way of making anyone feel special and important.  He enjoyed his family, golf, antiquing, history, reading, politics, movies and fun!  He will be missed and never be forgotten. 

Bob loved his family most of all.  He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Barbara Petersen and two sons, Andy Petersen (53) of Anita, Iowa and Robert (Bob) (58) Petersen of Des Moines, Iowa.  He is also survived by four grandchildren, Cole (Anya) Petersen of Denver, Colorado, Hannah Petersen of Des Moines, Iowa, Ethan Petersen of Ankeny Iowa, and Audrey Petersen of Altoona Iowa. 

He is preceded by his mother, Louie Petersen and father, Arthur Petersen.

A Celebration of Life Memorial service, hosted by the family, will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, November 3, 2022, at the Anita Congregational Church.  A time of visitation with refreshments will be held prior to the service at the church starting at 11:30 a.m., Thursday.

A private family burial, with military honors, by the Anita American Legion Post #210 and the Iowa Army Honor Guard, will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Anita.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Robert’s family and the arrangements.  Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.