Robert Gustav Petersen, born April 18, 1931, in Chicago, Illinois, passed away on June 11, 2026, after a long and full life marked by devotion to family, service to his country, and a distinguished professional career. He was born alongside his twin sister, Florence, to parents Robert A. and Minnie Petersen. Bob spent his early years in Chicago and attended Steinmetz High School before the family moved to Mt. Prospect, Illinois. He graduated from Arlington Heights Township High School in 1949. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the Technical Institute of Northwestern University in Evanston—now known as the McCormick School of Engineering. Just five days after graduation, Bob married his college sweetheart, Nancy DeJonge, a nurse, beginning a loving marriage that lasted 64½ years. The couple honeymooned in Sturgeon Bay, a place that would become central to their family life for decades. Bob began his engineering career as a design engineer with S.H. Holmes Co. A year later, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he completed service schools and spent a year in Germany with a special weapons detachment, holding Top Secret clearance. Nancy joined him overseas, and together they traveled extensively throughout Europe, visiting relatives in Germany and Holland. After returning home, Bob resumed his work at S.H. Holmes Co., eventually becoming Vice President of Engineering. He later joined ITW in Glenview, Illinois, where he served for 30 years in roles including Project Engineer, Plant Engineer, and ultimately Corporate Safety Director. He was a Registered Professional Engineer in Illinois and a Certified Safety Professional. Bob’s leadership extended well beyond his workplace. He served as president or chairman of numerous professional organizations, including: • President, American Society of Manufacturing Engineers (ASME) • Member, American Society of Plant Engineers (ASPE) • Member, American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) • President, Glenview Area Safety Council • President, Voluntary Protection Program Participants Association (VPPPA) • Chairman, Metals Section, National Safety Council He was a sought-after speaker on safety management at conferences across the United States. His contributions were widely recognized: he was named Safety Professional of the Year by the Chicago Chapter of ASSE in 1991, received the Distinguished Service to Safety Award from the National Safety Council in 1995, and earned a commendation from OSHA for his dedication to employee safety. In 2000, Bob and Nancy moved permanently to Sturgeon Bay into a home he designed and helped build. Summers there had long been a cherished family tradition. Bob was immensely proud of his daughters, Barbara (Sundet), a former RN, and Lois (Kurschner), a veterinarian. Family vacations often centered around exploring National Parks, creating memories that lasted generations. He was preceded in death by his parents, his older brother Will Petersen, a noted master printmaker, and his beloved wife Nancy. He is survived by his twin sister Florence Studer and his two daughters Barbara (David) Sundet and Lois (Douglas) Kurschner; he was blessed with nine grandchildren, Ashley (Ryan) Wigley, Alyson (Bill) Beson, Kate(Jason) Karja, Michael (Kaylee) Sundet, Caleb Nelson, Marta Nelson, Elizabeth Kurschner, Edmon Kurschner, Mae Kurschner; and nine great-grandchildren, Madeleine, Audrey, Eloise, William, Emery, Blakey, Braxton, Cataleya and Emberson, all of whom brought him great joy. Bob also had a lifelong love of dogs—Mike, Casey, Dunkin, Rusty, and Charli—along with the occasional cat. Bob’s life was rich with hobbies and service. He enjoyed golf with friends, woodworking, woodcarving, and creating toy chests and rocking horses for his grandchildren. A dedicated philatelist, he was a member and former program chairman of the Green Bay Philatelic Society. For more than 20 years, he joyfully built stage sets and crafts for Vacation Bible School at First Baptist Church in Sturgeon Bay. Bob will be remembered for his integrity, his craftsmanship, his commitment to safety and service, and the deep love he held for his family. The family is grateful to Dr. Jaslowski and his team at Door County Cancer Center and Unity Hospice, especially Nurse Katie and Ashley for their extraordinary care. A visitation is scheduled for Friday, June 26, 2026, at the Forbes Funeral Home from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. A graveside service with military honors will follow the visitation at Shiloh Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Unity Hospice or the Door County Cancer Center.