Robert Harold Petersen, 83, of Rockford died on January 20, 2018 in his home. Born October 14, 1934 in Toledo, OH; son of Clarence and Dorothy (Tober) Petersen. Graduate of Waite High School in Toledo, where he participated in cheerleading and National Honor Society. United in marriage to Patricia Ziegler on August 10, 1955 in Toledo. Robert attended college for a year, prior to being drafted into the United States Army, serving in the 4th Armored Division from 1955-1957. He was deployed to Germany, where he started the American Youth Abroad organization with his wife; providing activities for children on base. He and his wife co-founded Open Door Society, an advocacy organization promoting mixed race adoptions, he and his wife adopted four children, and fostered several more throughout the course of their marriage. He was a founding member of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in McHenry, where he sang in the choir. Robert was a Systems Analyst for Quaker Oats, Montgomery Ward and Johns Manville. Robert is survived by his wife, Patt; children, John (Catherine) Petersen of Rockford, Christen Huff of McHenry, Kim (Michael) Thomas of Waukegan, Jesse Petersen of Chicago, Scott (Jennifer) Petersen of Machesney Park; grandchildren, Jennifer, Jessica, Joey, Justin, Logan, Jarrett, Zach, Najee, Kimiko, Kyari, Phillip, Maya, Miles; sisters, Marie Knudson of Toledo, OH, and Mary Dress of Littleton, CO. Preceded in death by his parents, in-laws, Robert and Martha Lloyd, brother-in-law, Jim Dress and special friend, Joey Flores. Memorial Visitation on Friday, February 9, 2018 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Grace Funeral & Cremation Services, 1340 S. Alpine Rd. Rockford – at Colonial Village. Share a memory or condolence at www.graceFH.com .