Robert Petersen
Robert Edward Petersen (Bob), long-time resident of Glendale, Missouri, passed away on March 12th 2020 after a noble battle with cancer. Bob was born on December 16, 1951 to parents Mary and Edward Petersen. Bob always knew his calling and fulfilled it by becoming a police officer for Glendale, where he worked for 26 years. Bob was proud to be part of such a close-knit group of people. On the force, he was known for his caring personality and his professionalism. Bob always said, you got a lecture or you got a ticket; never both. Bob was everything you would hope for in a police officer. He fiercely protected the public, had a strong moral compass, consistently placed others before himself, and was always humble.
Bob was married for over 20 years to Joan Cassilly Petersen. Together, they had one daughter. Bob’s number one priority in life was the safety and happiness of his daughter Erin. Two of Bob’s proudest moments were when he walked Erin down the aisle at her wedding to Mike and when he was one of the first people to meet his grandson Jack. Bob loved having Jack fall asleep on him while Erin and Mike ran out for a quick bite to eat. He was a fantastic Grandpa who doted on Jack’s every move.
Bob was also a huge Cardinals fan. He would either watch or listen to most games on the radio on patrol. Often he had Erin guess the game score to “win” a trip to Starbucks on him. Amazingly, Erin had a 100% win rate, although her guesses were mostly incorrect.
Like anyone, Bob encountered obstacles in life. Before his battle with cancer, he battled alcoholism, and he won the fight. His hard work earned him over 10 years of sobriety and a second chance at life. He was incredibly proud to rejoin a police force and served the city of Rock Hill as a patrolman. Years later, he joined the public safety team at SLU. He loved his C-watch family and treasured his role of friend and mentor to many co-workers.
Bob had a wonderfully memorable personality. He would get excited over the most mundane of events in Erin’s life; she looked forward to sharing all of life’s little details with him to enjoy his pure enthusiasm. Bob was fiercely loyal to his close friends and his quick wit meant he was always ready with a sarcastic one liner. His gentle demeanor and genuine kindness made him a great listener to family and friends.
Bob is survived by his daughter Erin (Mike) Torney; his sister Betty (Jack) Sullivan; his brother John (Kathy) Petersen; and his energetic grandson Jack. He was a father, brother, uncle, and friend to many. He is so very missed.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Backstoppers in Bob’s memory. This is an organization he wholeheartedly supported, as it embodies two of his greatest passions: public service and family.
A celebration of life is being planned for a future date.
You could not want for a better friend. I’ve known the man for thirty five years. Bob was one of a kind person. Loyal to friends and had an answer to every question. I will miss him tremendously. “Pete” I’ll see you on the other side some day.
“Pete”, you were always there for a kind word and advice when I needed it when I first started on the road at Glendale. May you Rest In Peace, my friend! +Padre
I lived in Glendale most of my life and new Bob personally back then. I also dispatched for Bob when he went to Rock Hill PD in the early 2000’s.
Bob loved the Cardinals as much as I do.
Going to miss his quizzes about the different baseball stats.
See you sometime on the other side. Enjoy the best seat to the games now.
My dear buddy “Tigger” I will miss you forever. Thank you for bring laughter back in my life. Laughing for hours, weeks and years. We should all have a friend like you.
One of the finest men I have ever met. Not only a good coworker, but a very good friend.
Bob
You were like a dad to me, always bringing laughter to my life on even my darkest days. You were one of the most honorable and selfless men I knew. Thank you for your service Bob, and rip my friend
Bob and I were very close from the early days in Glendale back in the early 70’s and 80’s and then kind drifted apart after I left there in 92. We didn’t really keep in touch until out of nowhere I called him one night in 2012 when he was working midnights for Rock Hill. I told him that he was missing out without owning a computer in this day and age. A few weeks later he met me at Micro Center in Brentwood and he bought his first computer, he had no clue and wanted to learn. So I gave him a crash course. He was hooked after that. He would call me a couple of times every week asking for help with it and just to talk. In this past year we probably spoke several times every week because he knew that I was always up at night and he would call just to talk about the old days. He called me around noon from the hospital the day before he went into hospice and I was just heading out the door for work and told him to call me that night. I had no idea he was headed for hospice the next day. When I didn’t hear from him I knew something was up. One thing I’ll always remember, he never missed watching the news on tv every night. He couldn’t get enough. He was a good guy, with a big heart.
Bob you were a great person and a great friend to work with and thank you for all your help on my reports and thanks for the many runs down to QT as you always said my home away from home lol bob you will be missed
Bob was a great man also there to lean a hand if could you will be greatly missed and remembered.
Bob was one of the most genuine people I ever met, you never had to wonder where you stood with him. I was proud to serve with him. He is terribly missed every day. Many young officers will have long productive careers because of Bob’s mentoring. He was a bright light and always made us laugh.
I met Bob in ’72 when I joined the Police Department. We became friends, because of him. He had an attitude back then that I liked, “screw ’em if they don’t like it.” I went through a rough part in my life and he helped me through it. I did not have a car or money and he had just bought a second car that he did not need. He sold it to me and I paid him $25 a month until it was paid off. We arrested a girl one night and she didn’t have money for bail so Bob decided to just release her and then gave her $20 for food. Bob was a funny man and he filled some voids in my life. I hope I did something for him in return in the 48 years we knew each other. I do know one thing… he’ll be hard to forget.
Where to start? Bob knows all of us on shift, he made sure we got along and was ready to jump in as backup when needed. Didnt matter if they had a couple decades on him, he did his job. Being a mentor to alot of us younger officers is what helped alot of us develop professionally and he always urged us to do better.
Bob helped me in the start of my divorce, telling me “A drink or two is fine but please Matt, dont go down that blackhole. Call me if you ever need anything, no matter what time.” He was a mental buffer that I was glad to have on my side.
Our department truly lost a great officer. I lost a great friend, mentor and coworker. Love ya old man.
I will miss you forever, my friend.
I met Bob when my husband was a reserve police officer at Glendale.
We all became good friends and so enjoyed our time with Erin. She was at our house a lot when she was small. Bob was a special guy. When you needed him he was there. Always ready to listen. Miss you. May you Rest In Peace my friend.
Uncle Bob was a like a superhero to me when I was growing up. He was a real life police officer, in his very official uniform, complete with a badge, a gun, and handcuffs. He was also my Dad’s brother, the fun uncle who would have a few beers and laugh and joke around at Christmas and Thanksgivings. God, he was funny! When you’re an 11 year old kid there was nothing better than listening in on stories of who had been through the station and who they cut a break and who they had to put in a cab.
Uncle Bob may have helped us out with a traffic ensnarement here and there whether we deserved it or not. He taught me how to shoot a gun, tutored me in playing poker, and may have even given me a pair of loaded dice he (rightfully) relieved from someone who had crossed his path. He had a great contact at the car dealer for when we needed something worked on for the small price of a twelve pack of beer left in the trunk. Uncle Bob was plugged in, and he was cool. More than that, we all knew there was nothing he wouldn’t do for his family. Uncle Bob Petersen will be sorely missed.
What a touching, beautifully written obituary. I didn’t have many encounters with your dad, Erin but those I did left a lasting impression on me. He was always so kind and welcoming to me, his gentle way and sarcastic humor made him fun to be around in our first trips to St. Louis in our early years of marriage. I know as well that so much of him is reflected in the wonderful woman you are today and he was probably so proud. So glad Jack had the chance to meet him and that you will have those precious memories to hold onto in the days and weeks to come! Sending you much love and comfort from across the miles!
I did several ride-alongs with Bob, and we always had interesting conversations. We talked about police related matters, the Cardinals, and personal issues. He spoke highly of his daughter, and he was very proud to be a Grandpa! May Bob rest in peace. Please be assured of my prayers for Bob and the Petersen family.
Bob, was my bestest friend i will miss him.????????????
ROBERT PETERSEN gave me all the help he could as a detective William 5 as he was known finally sent me to PRISION. Being the only thing he said could do. I WAS A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY SURVIOR ADDICTED TO ANGEL DUST This was the best thing ever in my life I got sober and reality !!!!! When I got out I met my wife now of 32 years and had two daughters one of which is a doctor !!! THANKS TO THE PETERSEN ALL ALL THE GPD CARRICO BROTHERS DON CHANCE GERRY WOEPKE JOE LARAMIE CHIEF LIVESAY JEFF DRAKE JACK DELLING RICHARD BLACK DON ALGREN TOO
I’m just now finding out about this, sadly. Bob or Pete, as we all knew him was just one of those guys. I met Pete in September of 1976 when I became employed by the Glendale Police Department. Being one of those guys as he was, was right up front extending a firm hand shake and a hearty welcome. That began a journey into a friendship and that friendship got both of us through some tough times. Pete was there, I’m not sure some of those experiences would have turn out the way that did without the firm constitution he possessed.