Robert Peterson

loving family close by.

Robert was a loving husband and father, and was known among family, friends, and neighbors for being kind and helpful, as well as for his sense of humor and his love of life.

A nearly lifelong resident of Yonkers, he attended Yonkers public schools

including PS 22 and Saunders Trades and Technical School where he earned a

machinist degree.

The sixth of nine children, after the death of his father, he moved with his

mother and younger brothers to the fishing village of Träslövsläge, Sweden, the family’s

ancestral home, where he lived for several years.

He was drafted for the Korean War while he was still in Sweden and served his country

at Fort Eustis in Newport, Virginia, where he taught train engine mechanics.

After the war he worked at Alexander Smith Carpet Mills in Yonkers, then began his

longtime career with his brother's business, Peterson Supply and Equipment

Corporation.

Outside of work, he enjoyed building and renovating (or fixing) his houses, working on

the family cars, dabbling in woodworking and tending his vegetable garden.

Throughout his life, Robert loved taking family vacations at the beach, weekend

rides to the "country" with his wife, Rowena; crabbing and seeing his buddies at the

Hudson River and walking his dogs. He truly enjoyed and valued every new

experience and place he visited whether a Caribbean cruise, a tour in Italy, or a trip to

California.

Robert took much joy and pride in his Swedish heritage. He enjoyed speaking Swedish

and visiting with his Swedish relatives in the US and in Sweden and helping to prepare

(and eat) their traditional delicacies — like headcheese — at Christmas. He had many

happy memories of his time spent living in Sweden and traveling around Europe, and

he often regaled his family with stories of his adventures there.

Robert is survived by his loving wife of nearly 65 years, Rowena Peterson (nee

Tedeschi) and his three adoring daughters, Valerie Peterson, Dr. Lisa Peterson and

Beverly Peterson.

He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Janet (Stanley) Peterson, Jane (Ed) Peterson

and brother-in-law Don (Anna Peterson) Towers as well as many nephews and nieces.

Robert will be interred at Mount Hope Cemetery in Hastings-on-Hudson, NY. For family and friends wishing to honor Robert’s memory, donations can be made to Calvary Hospital.