His Story

Oh, so quietly and peacefully with his wife holding his hand our Lord and Savior came to Robert Everett Peterson at home on Saturday, March 12, 2022.  We believe our Savior said to Robert you have been faithful and true; it is now time to receive your reward.

The Lord gave us a devoted loving husband, brother, uncle, great uncle, cousin, brother-in-law, godfather and an impeccable dresser.  We give thanks to our Savior as we celebrate his life. Robert was a God-fearing man.

Robert, lovingly known as Bobby or Pete, was born to the late James Andrew Peterson and Gwendolyn Byrd Peterson in Muhlenberg Hospital, Plainfield, NJ, on Tuesday, July 31, 1951. He was the seventh child of ten children.  He was a lifelong resident of Plainfield and loved his community.

Robert received his education in the Plainfield Public School system and graduated from Plainfield High School in the class of 1970.  Robert enjoyed many community events including football, basketball, Plainfield parades and he was a avid cyclist. He was a big kid at heart who loved amusement parks even as an adult.

In the early 1960’s, being lead by the Holy Spirit accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and was baptized at the Calvary Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Charles P. Harris, Ph.D.  Robert served on the Usher Board Ministry, the Van Ministry and the Palm Sunday Breakfast Ministry. Being obedient to Hebrews 10:25 Robert’s love for his church was evident in his attendance of Sunday worship service, revivals, anniversaries, Sunday School outings and fellowships with other churches.

Exodus 20:12 (NIV) states, “Honor your father and mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”  Robert will be remembered as a giving, generous, devoted and compassionate son that gave 110% of himself to the care of his parents.  He will always be known for affectionately and patiently caring for his parents every need, especially when their health began to deteriorate.  He became the primary care giver for his father.

On September 16, 2000, at the Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, Robert entered into holy matrimony with Katrina Harrison whom he met while they were both employed at Lockheed Electronics.

Robert and Katrina took considerable pleasure in traveling to family events, cruising the seas, flying, church homecomings in North Carolina and Virginia. Robert loved shopping, dining out and going to nursing homes to assist residence with their meals. He would tell you, “that’s my missionary work” with a smile.

Within his seventy years, Robert was a diligent employee of Pathmark, North Plainfield, NJ, Lockheed Electronics, Watchung, NJ and retired from Plainfield Board of Education on January 1, 2019 after 27 plus years of loyal service. After retirement from the public sector, Robert continued his labor in God’s vineyard.

Robert was predeceased by his parents, brothers, baby Peterson, Kermit D. Peterson and James K. Peterson, sisters, Christia E. Peterson, Maxine D. Peterson and Sandra M. Kenney, niece/goddaughter Christina Alicia Curry and great niece Jaida Christina Smith-Steward.

Those left with cherished memories of his life and love are his devoted loving wife, Katrina H. Peterson, sisters, Katherine Y. Peterson-Smith, Gwendolyn Curry (George) and Julie Peterson (John); 1 aunt, Virgie Byrd, 3 nephews, Carl A. Peterson (Jackie), Jyi J. Peterson (Netesha) and Germaine A. Curry;  2 nieces, Lisa M Thompson (Jerry), Keisha Y. Mason (Marcus); godson, Julian D. Peterson, brothers-in-law, Lucious L. Harrison (Katie), Carnelious Harrison (Glenda), Calvin E, Harrison (Frances) and Roy L. Harrison; sisters-in-law; Gerlie H. Alston (Leon), Rovenia Harrison, Beatrice Williams, Patricia Harrison and a host of great nieces, great nephews, family and friends.