Taps Friday for veteran bugler 'Bob' Peterson

MANY JOBS, MANY HATS: Marion Peterson and Fred Schlueter searched through 25 honorary hats owned by Robert “Bob” Peterson.

Robert "Bob" Eric Peterson died Wednesday, July 15, 2009, leaving a tradition of patriotism and a collection of 15 bugles. He was 85. A lifelong musician, Peterson played Taps as a member of the honor guard for more than 400 veterans' funerals.

Despite his collection of bugles, Peterson only began playing the instrument when he joined the Redding American Legion Honor Guard while in his 60s.

"He wasn't a brass man. He played reeds," his wife Marion said Friday. "We met in a big band in Omaha, Neb., where we both went to school. I was the singer."

The two married in 1949.

Peterson played alto saxophone in the big band era of the 1940s, touring with the Jimmy White Orchestra and once even made an appearance on the Lawrence Welk Show.

"We had a saying that once you have three of something, you're a collector; and then you're in trouble. He was often in trouble," Marion said in a room saturated in personal effects of her late husband including bugles, fly fishing equipment, veterans service awards and hats.

Friends from Anderson VFW stopped by to help sort through Peterson's belongings at the couple's home in Happy Valley.

"For every post you hold, you get a hat for it," Marion said.

Peterson had served as a past vice-commander of the American Legion for the state, past commander of District II, past commander of Legion Post 197, as advisor for the Shasta County Affiliated Veterans Council, an advisor for the VA Clinic and the VFW District 20 Honor Guard, American Legion and AMVETS.

In Northern California, Peterson, with help from the American Legion and VFW, brought a VA Clinic to Redding and the Northern California Veterans Cemetery to Igo.

Peterson served as a fighter pilot in the US Navy during World War II in the South Pacific. He flew off the aircraft carriers USS Wake Island (CVE-65) and the USS Solomons (CVE-67) as they were getting ready for the invasion of Japan.

A memorial service is scheduled for 12:45 p.m. on Friday, July 24, at the Northern California Veterans Cemetery in Igo.

Paul Robeson contributed to this article.