Posted by Jack Osteen on January 28, 2003:

Robert J. Petersen was born in Chicago on 26 March 1926 to Reno and Minnie Petersen. His parents provided him and his brother Dick a happy, secure childhood that prepared them well for the purposeful and successful lives they were to live. After graduation from Harvard School for Boys (high school), Bob attended Northwestern University before enlisting in the Marine Corps to do his part in World War II. As he completed boot training, he was ordered to USMA on 1 July 1944 to become a cadet. Bob arrived for Beast Barracks resplendent in Marine Cops uniform and forthwith attracted the undivided and very vocal attention of the Beast Detail, thereby mercifully relieving the pressure on his hard pressed classmates. From that moment on the ex-Marine was a hero and a favorite of his classmates. Bob took cadet life in stride. He never seemed to be overwhelmed by the plebe system or the other rigors of cadet life. He had the quick mind and the sharp tongue we expected from a native of Chicago. He always had a humorous comment or a discerning insight about the plebe system, the new firsties, the Tacs, etc.. He had little patience for those long of wind or inflated of ego. Also, he kept us on our toes with his challenge "All right classmate, get to the point " if you have one." Bob was commissioned in the infantry, his overwhelming choice of branch, on 8 June 1948 and embarked on a career balanced between command and staff assignments. His first troop duty was as a platoon leader in the 1st Cavalry Division in Japan. Not long after his arrival the Korean War erupted suddenly, and Bob and the 1st Cavalry were rushed to South Korea to help establish and defend the Naktong Perimeter. These were desperate days for U.S. forces, and in September 1950, while leading his platoon; Bob was seriously wounded and evacuated. He required extensive hospitalization but rejected the idea of medical retirement; he was determined to return to infantry line duty, and he did. It was a constant source of amazement to his friends that throughout his life he never complained of pain, even though it was obvious that his foot wound bothered him greatly. In spite of the pain he took up tennis and played regularly for the rest of his life and, as we would expect from him, he was a complete student of the game and a fine player. He served in Europe as a commander in the 8th Infantry Division and on the V Corps staff. He was aide-de-camp to the CO, Third Army, and was a deputy brigade commander as well as a division staff officer in his beloved 1st Cavalry in Korea prior to the Vietnam War. He also earned a graduate degree from Vanderbilt University and taught at West Point from 1961 to 1964. After service on the DA staff, Bob volunteered for combat duty in Vietnam, where he commanded the 1st Battalion of the 5th Cavalry Regiment during major battles. He was an outstanding commander and was decorated for heroism. Other assignments included study at the National War College, serving as Deputy Director of the Army's Military Information System, commanding the Support Command of the 25th Infantry Division, and serving as Chief of Staff of U.S. Army Support, Hawaii, following which he retired from the Army in 1975 after 27years of service. Bob and Dolly settled in the Washington, D.C. area where he lost no time in plunging into a civilian career. He was co-owner of a management consulting firm, Vice-President of Distribution Codes, Inc., and later Vice-President of the American National Metric Council. Just as he did in the Army, Bob enjoyed his work and found plenty of challenge and success before he retired in 1988 to "smell the roses." Bob was an enthusiastic participant in numerous activities that brought Dolly and him great pleasure - activities such as extensive travel, visiting family and friends, learning to speak French, participating in a Book Club made up of a number of classmates - and continuing to be the Class Scribe for the ASSEMBLY (because of his wit, keen insights, and pithy comments, his column became must reading.) He took it as a personal challenge to establish contact with every classmate with whom we had lost contact, and he was prompt in organizing help for classmates or their widows who had special needs. One cannot think of Bob's life without remembering the role Dolly played throughout the 43 years of marriage. They met on a blind date during the CAMID Exercise in 1946, and who could deny that one of the smartest moves Bob ever made was marrying Dolly. Together they were a wonderful team and hid pride in Dolly and in their children - Susan, Bob Jr., and Ken - shone through clearly. For the preparation of this memorial, all three children wrote moving and beautiful tributes about their wonderful father and the example he set for them, and the love and encouragement that he gave them. This was indeed a strong and close knit family. Bob did so many things well during his lifetime that it is almost impossible to summarize the man adequately. One of his division commanders, Major General Robert McKinnon wrote of him, "He was a rare individual - a professional who knew and understood soldiers -. A born leader who always knew where he was and where he was going ". He led by example ,,,, as quick to praise as he was to correct - in every sense an officer and a gentleman." Another senior commander said of him - "a tower of strength in this command manager, leader I have seen." Bob had unbounded enthusiasm and zest for life. He had flair and style in everything he did. There was no half way for him. If it was worth doing, it had to be done right. He'll be remembered for his sharp wit and wonderful humor. He was the organizer and the "Dunner of the Decade" who brought resounding success to the fund-raiser drive for the 1948 Class Gift to USMA at the 40th Reunion. He had a twinkle in his eye and lots of charm and, though at times stubborn, he always was a friend to anyone who needed one. A man of great moral strength and character, he savored a challenge and forced you to analyze and defend your own assertions. Because of his attributes and vision Bob enjoyed extraordinary success in life and had an army of friends. As his final act, Bob went on a trip with Dolly and friends, in true fashion checked out at the Ritz and checked in with the Long Grey Line. Bob died as he would have wished - with family and friends, and smelling the roses. What a remarkable and unforgettable person. God rest him well!

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