Robert W. Peterson

Robert W. Peterson (Bob) of Van Meter, Iowa passed away on December 8, 2022 after a 20 year battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He was living at Edencrest Assisted Living/Memory Care at Green Meadows, Johnston, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 15, 2022 at Faith Lutheran Church in Adel. Burial will follow at Trinity Lutheran Church Cemetery in Van Meter. Family will greet friends from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. prior to the service.

Robert was born to Clifford and Amy (Johnson) Peterson at Iowa Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa on July 26, 1931. He was baptized in infancy at Central Lutheran Church in Des Moines, and in 1954 his baptismal vows were confirmed by confirmation at Trinity Lutheran Church in Van Meter. Robert was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, Adel, Iowa.

Robert grew up in Des Moines, attending Elmwood Elementary School, Callanan Junior High and Roosevelt High School, where he graduated in 1949. He lived in the Cottage Grove area in Des Moines during most of his youth.

After graduation, Robert went to work at the Iowa-Des Moines National Bank in Des Moines (now known as Wells Fargo), and he retired in 1986 after 37 years. While still working, Robert participated in the bank’s golf and bowling leagues. After his retirement, Robert had more time to hunt, fish and golf.

On March 14, 1954, Robert married Celesta Brooker of Van Meter, and two children were born to this marriage: Janet Marie Willemsen (currently of Des Moines) and Daniel Wade Peterson (deceased).

Robert was in the U.S. Naval Reserve for eight years. He loved to tell the story about how, during a violent storm, he almost fell off the fantail of the ship he was on.

Robert also enjoyed the Iowa State Fair, and he, his daughter and son-in-law attended every year until Robert’s health prevented him from attending.

Robert was the ultimate Iowa Hawkeye fan - football and basketball.  As the story goes, when Robert was a young boy, he and some friends were throwing a football back and forth in a back lot in the Drake neighborhood along University Avenue. There was a parade going by and in one of the parade cars was Nile Kinnick. Nile Kinnick noticed the young boys and hollered at them to toss him the football and since Robert had the football, he threw it to Nile. Nile Kinnick then tossed it back to the boys and over the years there has always been some controversary about who actually caught the ball!

Robert is survived by his daughter Janet (husband Bob) of Des Moines, and granddaughter Randey Peterson of Redfield.

Robert was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Celesta (Brooker), son Daniel, and Robert’s parents Amy and Clifford Peterson.

The family wishes to thank all the caregivers at Edencrest Assisted Living at Green Meadows in Johnston and the Care Initiatives Hospice team for their excellent care. They are the angels that walk amongst us.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the ARL Animal Rescue League of Iowa. Online condolences may be left at www.caldwellparrish.com.

GO HAWKS !!!!!