PETERSDORF—Robert Duane Petersdorf, passed into life eternal on May 1, 2021. It was the 100th anniversary of his mother’s birth, two months short of his 80th birthday.

His passing was due to a sudden massive stroke, which occurred while doing what he loved: splitting wood with a chainsaw in his hand.

Bob was born July 10, 1941 in Bemidji, Minn., to Herschel Robert Petersdorf and Maryanne Mae (Rogers) Petersdorf. The family moved west to Longview, Wash. in 1947. 

He spent his formative years in Gardiner, Ore., and graduated from Reedsport High School in 1959.  He married Pamela Trammel in March of 1963 and divorced in 1965. He was soon after drafted into the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam from 1965 to 1967 as a Private 1st class.

Bob worked many years at IGAs in Florence before venturing out on his own and opening Petersdorf’s Foodtown Market.

He made an impact on many people through the years, sometimes taking items in trade in lieu of money when his customers lacked the funds to pay for their groceries.

After two devastating fires forced him to close the store, he worked for Safeway as the dairy department manager until his retirement.

He was a charter member of the Florence Kiwanis club, a member of the American Legion, the Odd Fellows and the Florence Elks, where he just received his 50th year member recognition.

He enjoyed bowling with a local team until the pandemic halted such activities.

Bob was also active in local politics, helping to incorporate Dunes City. He served on the Dunes City Council, Planning Commission, as Road Commissioner and four terms as Mayor. He took pride in helping to develop many of the City’s chartering policies and principles thru its comprehensive plan.  His fellow road commission members will long remember the dinner feasts with all the trimmings Bob would host for them to celebrate their yearly accomplishments.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Patrick Petersdorf. 

He is survived by his sisters: Nancy (Larry) Johnson, Roxanne (Mark) Gill, and Lisa Kuydendall; his brother, Jeff Petersdorf; seven nieces, three nephews and 22 grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

Due to pandemic restrictions, no services are currently planned.

The family will gather on July 10, his 80th birthday, for inurnment at the Scottsburg Cemetery. 

Burns’s Riverside Chapel Florence Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.