Robert George Petersen

Robert G. Petersen (Bob) , Loving husband, dad, stepdad, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend.

Robert G. Petersen (Bob) passed away on September 15,2016, at 1:05 am, with his wife, Virginia and stepdaughters, Catherine and Juli Ann at his bedside.

Bob was born on October 6, 1929, in Chico, CA, to June and George Petersen. He graduated from Chico High School in 1948. He was a member of the debate team, editor of the yearbook, lettered in basketball, also on the track and swim team. He also became a certified Life Guard through the Red Cross. He graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with an Ag Science degree and was also a member of the swim team.

Throughout his life he enjoyed nature, science, horticulture, and trees. In his growing years he especially enjoyed summers at the family cabin at Philbrook (in Butte County) which provided activities with family and friends in boating, water skiing, swimming, fishing, and hiking. He enlisted in the Navy and served during the Korean War. When he was honorably discharged, he then enlisted in the Naval Reserves.

On January 4, 1991, he married Virginia Leon and lived in Fresno and Clovis, California

Because of their love for camellias, they joined the Camellia Society Clubs in Northern, Central, and Southern areas of California. Bob quickly introduced his budding method instead of grafting which proved very successful. He became a member of the National Camellia Society based in Georgia and also a member of the Society's Research Committee. He published articles on the budding process which produced faster growth. Also was able to integrate the camellia plants to produce variegated blooms and solid color blooms on the same plant.

In 1949, the third generation of the Petersen Nursery family, Bob and his brothers (Fred and Jim) planted the first 20 acres of experimental pistachio at the family acreage in Durham, California.

In 1969, Bob started his own business named Petersen Nursery, lnc., when he was introduced to a large Tulare County farming family interested in planting pistachios. That started Bob's legacy which resulted in the planting of pistachios in over 116,000 acres. He continued with the development of some of the largest pistachio farms from Northern, Central, and Southern California. Bob became the foremost authority of the industry. The pistachio industry owes much to Bob for the pioneering and development of pistachios to which he dedicated his life. Bob did the consulting and management of these farms in planting, budding, pruning, training, irrigation, nutrients, and protecting trees from pests and diseases. In addition, he volunteered many years at California State University, Fresno's School of Agriculture at the inception of their pistachio acreage.

His original budding crew was the Chico High School football team which included his two sons, Dave and Steve Petersen. They worked during the summer which was a good opportunity to make good spending money. Many of them have gone and developed their own successful management companies. Bob was extremely proud and fond of them all.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, June and George Petersen; and his brother, Jim Petersen.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 25 1/2 years, Virginia L. Petersen. Fourth generation family in nursery and pistachios, sons Dave and his wife Lynn Petersen, Steve Petersen of Formation Landscaping Company, and daughter Jane and husband Shawn Collins. Stepdaughters Catherine L. Luna, Juli Ann Beshears, Jacqueline and husband Richard Briones, and Mari Lynn De La Rosa, PhD; brother, Fred Petersen and his wife Cora Lee of Wyoming. Fifth generation in pistachios grandson Luke and his wife Danielle Petersen. Grandsons Clint Petersen, Drew and his wife Mallory Petersen, and Daniel Collins. Granddaughters Bonnie Petersen, Paige and husband Alan Gilbert, Whitney and husband Jordan Gildersleeve, and Natalie and husband Shawn Welsh. Great grandchildren Cameron Petersen, Sidney Gilbert, Collins Welsh, Brooks Welsh. Cousins Steve Ulsh, Alan Knotts and Gloria Knotts; Many nieces and nephews.Bob, thank you for your love and giving us a most wonderful experience of having you in our lives. Your wife, Virginia, family, and friends.

At Bob's request in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to "Paws and Stripes" at pawsandstripes.org under the DONATE link.

Remembrance event for Bob will be held on Saturday, October 8,2016,2 pm, at the Clovis Veterans Memorial District, 808 Fourth Street, Clovis, CA 93612.