Robert Arnold Peterson, 78 years old, of Alma Nebraska, passed away June 30, 2020, at the Good Samaritan Society-Colonial Villa in Alma.
Robert was born April 15, 1942, the second of five children to Arnold and Viola (Decker) Peterson of Alma. He graduated from the Alma Public School System with the class of 1960. He attended the University of Southern California and then graduated from Hasting College in Hastings, Nebraska with a degree in Biology.
As a young boy in Alma, Robert was a Boy Scout. He loved being outside; with his friends riding bikes, fishing, and ice skating on the Harlan County Lake. Every summer from a boy through high school, he worked on relatives farms in the Hildreth, Nebraska and Naponee, Nebraska areas. Robert loved football, in junior high, he excelled at the sport and continued to do so in high school. Almost every award possible in The Republican Valley League was awarded to him. As a senior, he was a Class C All-State football player and took first place at State in shot put and third place in discus. All through school Robert was an excellent student. He served as class president as well as treasurer and president of the student council. But before each school day, he was up very early to check his traps along the Republican River for mink, beaver, muskrat, etc. and sold them to Haeker’s Furriers.
Robert was a member of Peace Lutheran Church. He was president of Luther League and preached several Sunday morning services.
It was shared that, “The young boys of Alma were proud that Robert was from their town”. He was a great student, a great athlete and a great role model.
Upon high school graduation, Robert was picked to play in the 1960 Shrine Bowl and was selected the most outstanding defensive player. He received a football scholarship to the University of Southern California. He was the outstanding freshman player in 4 out of 6 games. The call to go home and leave the big city was too great. He returned back to Nebraska to play for the University of Nebraska, but conflicts prevented this from happening and he went to Hastings College where he played for two years. While at Hastings College, he was called to join the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Pro Football League for three years. An offer then came from the Denver Broncos, but the National Guard called him at the same time. That ended his hopes of a pro football career. Again, Robert excelled as an inductee in the National Guard and was placed over 300 other inductees. He was in the National Guard and the Army Reserve with advanced infantry training at Ft. Knox, Kentucky.
He helped teach high school and coached athletics in Last Chance, Colorado with his uncle, Harold Decker. Then, he was off to New York City to be trained as a licensed registered stockbroker. He worked for a firm in Denver, Colorado; but in time his conscience and the “call of the wild” sent him to Alaska to be a big game hunting guide. His love for the wilderness and its preservation took him back to Hastings College at age 50 to enter as a junior and complete his degree in Biology. He applied for a grant with the Nature Conservancy. Despite life experiences, his excellent grades and superb physical condition, he was not given a grant due to his age. He returned to Alma and eventually retired from TRICO Farm Service.
Robert loved hunting in Colorado with his uncles: Harold, John, and Wally Decker; brother, John and many others. He always looked forward to pheasant season in Nebraska. He loved to read, fish, garden, and search for choke cherries so Sharon (Casper) Crawford could make him jelly.
Robert suffered a severe stroke in 2015. He entered Colonial Villa in Alma in December 2019. On Monday, June 29, he told the nursing staff he was ready to die. On Tuesday morning, June 30, he completed his pilgrimage here on earth and passed over to be with Jesus Christ his Lord and Savior forever.
A friend said, “Robert would have given me the shirt off his back if I had needed it.”
“A young girl could not have a better big brother!” said Carol.
Robert was preceded in death by; his parents and sister, Vonnel Bunch.
Robert leaves to celebrate his life; his two brothers: Brian and John Peterson of Alma, who were his caregivers and guardian for nearly 5 years; his younger, sister Carol Banta and husband, Kent of Tucson, Arizona; six nieces; extended family and many friends.
The family is honoring Robert’s wish for cremation. There will be no visitation or viewing.
Due to COVID-19 health concerns, a celebration of life for Robert will be held at a later date.
A memorial has been established in Roberts’s honor, and kindly suggested to The Harlan County Senior Center, P.O. Box 1023, 608 Main St., Alma, Nebraska 68920.
Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com
The Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma is in charge of the arrangements.