Born in Denver, Colorado, on August 29, 1940, Robert “Bob” James Peterson passed peacefully on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at the ripe young age of 85. With his wife and family close by, he was under the care of Lorien Mt Airy Assisted Living Home and Bridging Hands Hospice.

Bob was a proud Boy Scout, earning an Ad Altare Dei emblem. Bob won 1st place in the Colorado State Science Fair in 1956 for his project on Rocket Flight. He graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics. Bob began his career with the Atomic Energy Commission traveling between Los Alamos, NM and Las Vegas, Nevada. Bob participated in Operation Morning Light in 1978. A team of nuclear experts were assembled to locate and remediate the radioactive debris from a crashed Soviet era nuclear powered satellite from the Northwest Territories, Canada.

Bob moved with his family to Germantown, MD in 1978 to work for the Department of Energy (DOE) as a Nuclear Safety and Security Inspector after obtaining a Master’s Degree from the National War College in Washington D.C.

Even though Bob retired from the DOE, Bob held true to his motto, “Never retire!”.  He enjoyed many years of multi-level marketing particularly with Young Living Essential Oils reaching Gold Level status with the help of his wife, Jan, and many of his children and extended family members.

Bob effortlessly combined his love of marketing with his and Jan’s love of travel. Together they explored the United States on dozens of cross-country road trips visiting family and traveling to many foreign countries. Bob was an avid photographer, recording all his journeys as well as family events.

Bob was a loving husband, father and grandfather.  He enjoyed coaching basketball and football, swimming, launching homemade rockets and fireworks, cheering on soapbox derbies, canoeing, playing with dogs, ball room dancing, good walks and picnics!

Bob was an active member of his church, Greenridge Baptist, for 26 years. At the end of his life, Bob was comforted by the account of the Lord's salvation to the "good thief" on the cross. His daughter, Tara Rosenbloom, wrote a song for him that he used as his primary vehicle to share the gospel at the end of his life. His song and testimonial are at: www.askforgoodnews.com

Bob had a way of making everyone he met feel included.  He had an infectious smile, loved a good joke, and had a wonderful laugh.  Bob, son, brother, husband, dad, grandpa will be greatly missed.

Robert is survived by his wife of 26 years, Janis H. Peterson, children Jeraldine Peterson-Mark (Paul), Zachary Peterson, Tara Rosenbloom (Michael), Jessica Burgard (Stewart), James Hockenberry (Bethany) and Karyn Jacobs, and grandchildren Leland Mark (Julie), Jack, Griffin, Tristin, Remington “JR” and Tyson.  Bob, eldest of 12, is survived by 10 of his brothers and sisters.

Bob is predeceased by his daughter Leslie Goodman (Delbert), his father Robert Peterson, Sr, his mother, Marjorie Peterson, and his brother Ronald Peterson (Teresa).

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Kim’s Hope, a non-profit organization supporting families affected by glioblastomas.  www.kimshope.org

Friends and family are invited to Greenridge Baptist Church in Boyds, MD on Friday September 19, 2025 at 10:30 am (visitation), 11:00 am (service).  Robert will be interred at Boyds Presbyterian Church Cemetery following the service (19901 White Ground Road, Boyds, Maryland 20841.)   A meal will be served at Greenridge Baptist Church following the internment.

Please send all flowers to the church: Greenridge Baptist Church 21925 Frederick Rd. Boyds, MD 20841

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