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Robert "Bob" Gene Peterson Sunday Oct 30, 2016 at 2:00 AM July 5, 1929 - September 27, 2016 Robert “Bob” Gene Peterson, 87, lifelong resident of Medford, Ore. passed away peacefully September 27, following a short illness. Bob was born July 5, 1929 on his family farm in Wolsey, S.D. to Marguerite (Graham) Peterson, a schoolteacher and Reimer Peterson, a farmer. Bob was the second of two sons in the Peterson family with his brother and lifelong best friend Melvin (Mel), preceding him in birth by 2 years. Following two years of failed crops, the family began moving westward in 1935, joining family and friends in Rupert, Idaho and Sprague River, Ore. before arriving in Medford in 1937. Bob attended Lincoln and Howard elementary schools, McLoughlin Junior High School, and Medford High School, graduating in 1948. In 1951, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as an artillery specialist and supply clerk in Pusan, Korea during the Korean War. Following the war, Bob continued to serve as an active reservist until 1959. He returned to southern Oregon and attended Oregon Technical Institute completing his associate degree in diesel engineering. Bob spent nearly his entire professional career partnering with his brother, Mel as proprietors of Specialty Contractors, Inc., a flooring and finish contracting business. Bob took great pride in his craftsmanship and numerous examples of his work are spread across southern Oregon and northern California. He eased into retirement in the late 1980s and early 1990s and spent his time in his woodshop and caring for and enjoying his family. He was a lifelong member of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Medford, Ore. Bob is survived by his wife and soulmate of 45 years, Bette Mae (Fair) Peterson; sons, Doug Ellison of Anchorage, Alaska, Tom Peterson of Midland, Mich., and Jeff Ellison of Issaquah, Wash.; daughters, Sherri Marshall, Jacqueline DeSoto, and Lila Garrett of Medford, and Rena Jensen of Hayden Lake, Idaho; 14 grandchildren (aged 44 to 1 year old!) Eric Bradbury of Menifee, Calif., Diane Marshall of Medford, Shawndey Vasquez of Corpus Christie, Texas, Heather Wright of Fairfield, Calif., Kari Ellison of Portland, Ore., Chelsea and Carissa Cunningham of Medford, Mychal and Matthew DeSoto of Eugene, Ore., Alex Peterson of Milwaukee, Wis., Ian and Emily Peterson of Midland, Mich., and Mae and Quentin Ellison of Issaquah, Wash.; eight great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; sister-in-law, Delores Peterson of Medford; nephew, Rob Rossi of Nampa, Idaho.; and nieces, Melody Peterson of Cedaredge, Colo. and Cheryl Mertz of Central Point. He was preceded in death by his father, Reimer; mother, Marge; brother, Mel; and son, Kendall Ellison. Bob’s greatest joy was his family. Behind his reserve lay a quiet strength and his dedication to caring for his loved ones will be his legacy. The gift he leaves behind is the example to look for purpose in caring for our families, whatever shape or form they may take. He will be sorely missed. Following a period of mourning, Bob’s ashes will be interred at Eagle Point National Cemetery following a service with military honors.