Robert Carl Petersen, 82, died at his home in Hudson, Wyoming on Saturday, July 6, 2024. Graveside services for Bob and Carolynn will be held at the Hudson Cemetery on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. A gathering will follow at the Hudson Fire Hall.
He was born in Detroit, Michigan, on July 23, 1941, and was raised in Saxeville, Wisconsin. Bob graduated from Wild Rose High School in 1959 and joined the Army soon thereafter. Bob served with the 3rd US Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) and was stationed at Ft. Myer, Virginia. One of the primary missions of the “Third Herd” was to conduct funerals for burials at Arlington National Cemetery. He was proud to serve in this capacity and kept in touch with some of his Army buddies throughout the rest of his life.
While in the Army, Bob met Carolynn Lee Fought and they were married on October 7, 1961, in the chapel at Ft. Myer. After Bob’s enlistment with the Army ended, they moved to his home state of Wisconsin. It was there that their children Jennifer, Michael, and William were born. During those years Bob worked as a game warden and in a foundry. In 1966, the family relocated to Hudson, Wyoming, where Bob started working for US Steel. He resided in Hudson until his death.
When the mine shut down, Bob worked as a carpenter and other odd jobs. He especially enjoyed working with Bruno Bonella and Emerson Bodan. When Bob was young, a man took him for a short flight in a small airplane. It was there that Bob’s love of aviation was born. He vowed that one day he would get his pilot’s license. He realized that dream many years later by taking flying lessons from Larry Hastings. To pay back the kindness of the gentleman that took him on his first flight, Bob wanted young kids to have the same experience. He volunteered with the EAA Young Eagles program and took over 300 youngsters on a flight in his Ercoupe or the plane of a friend. Bob called in the Hudson weather every morning to the National Weather Service office in Riverton for over 40 years.
Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Carolynn; his parents; his son, William Petersen; his grandson, Nathan Petersen; and his sister, Doris Diem. He is survived by his daughter, Jennifer Westman (Paul) of Lander; his son, Michael Petersen of Hudson; and his grandson, Erik Petersen of Lander.
On-line condolences may be made at TheDavisFuneralHome.com
Arrangements are under the direction of Davis Funeral Home, Crematory, and Monuments.