Robert Peterson Obituary Peterson, Maj. Gen. Robert S. (Ret) of Plymouth died June 5, 2007 at age 86. He was preceded in death by his wife of 40 years, Eileen. Survived by his wife of 23 years, Jean; children, Ellen Estes (Don) of Minneapolis, Robert Peterson (Amy) of Tucson, AZ; 8 grandchildren, Kristin, Hillery, Erin, Anne, Clara, Lindsay, Anna and Robert; great- grandchildren, Juliette and Charles as well as many other beloved family members and friends. Bob (""Pete"") grew up in Montclair, NJ where he initially worked for Prudential Ins. Co. Born on December 7, 1920, his 21st birthday almost went by unnoticed due to Pearl Harbor. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet program and was awarded his wings on October 1, 1943, beginning his 38 year military career which culminated in his becoming the first major general in the history of the Minnesota Air National Guard and the first general to command all Air Guard units in Minnesota. Assigned to China he flew combat 96 missions in the iconic shark-mouthed P-40 as a member of the 75th Fighter Squadron under the famed ace Tex Hill and General Claire Chennault .This unit was the successor to the Flying Tigers, American Volunteer Group, which was disbanded and reconvened as the 75th Fighter Squadron the Flying Sharks. He continued in the NJ Air National Guard after WWII and eventually moved to Wayzata with Prudential in 1954. Recalled to active duty during the Korean War and the Berlin Crisis, as well as flying many missions to Vietnam, he gained 6300 hours of flight time, flew 30 different aircraft types and received 27 awards and decorations including the Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal. He was a graduate of the Air War Collegeall of this while keeping his day job at Pru where he eventually retired as Director of Data Operations after almost 45 years of service. He was a member of the Metropolitan Airports Commission for 6 years and proudly served as presidentof the Kingswood Homeowners Association, Plymouth, for 20 years. In Kingswood he practiced his philosophy of always leaving a place better than he found it, seen by his love of planting and gardening that will remain there to be enjoyed by generations to come. In 2001 he published a biography entitled A Kid from Jersey which detailed the impact that WWII had on him. Papa's tale is that of a lifelong volunteer who knew no other way but to serve others and asked little or nothing In return. He will be missed by many as he slips the bonds of this earth. Funeral Service 9:30 AM Monday, June 11 at The Episcopal Church of St. David, 13000 St. David's Rd in Minnetonka. Visitation 5-7 PM Sunday at David Lee Funeral Home, 1220 E. Wayzata Blvd, Wayzata. Interment Ft. Snelling National Cemetery. Memorials to MMFF, 133rd AW/GFN , 133rd Airlift Wing, attn: Jill Lawrence, 631 Minuteman Dr., St. Paul, MN 55111-4100 a 501(c)(3) foundation supporting families of Air Guard members currently serving in Iraq. David Lee Funeral Home Wayzata 952-473-5577