Obituary for Robert Warren Peters
COLONIE - Robert Warren Peters passed from this life, in the comfort of his home and surrounded by the love of his family, on Thursday, June 1, 2023 at the age of 96.
Born at home on Dana Avenue in Albany on July 2, 1926, Robert was the son of Philip E. and Ethel E. (Warren) Peters.
Bob grew up in Albany where he attended Public School 24 and later Albany High School from where he graduated. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II and served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater on board the USS Converse (DD 509), USS Charles Ausburne (DD-570) and the USS Smalley (DD-565). He was honorably discharged on June 21, 1946 and returned home to Albany where, three years later, on July 9, 1949, he married the former Elma Mae Wagner, a friend since kindergarten, and they soon started a family. On September 8, 1950, Bob returned to Navy duty off the coast of Korea during the Korean War on board the USS St. Paul (CA-73). He returned home on April 15, 1952 and was awarded the Korean Ribbon, Navy Occupation Ribbon and the United Nations Ribbon for his service. He had previously been awarded the American Theater Medal, the Victory Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Theater Medal for his service in World War II.
Bob was employed, for a number of years, by the W.M. Whitney Department Store in Albany and later by the Home and City Savings Bank in Albany and its successors from where he retired in 1991.
In retirement he enjoyed puttering around his house, spending time with his family and travelling with Elma. He was a life-long and active member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Albany where he served on the Vestry, as an usher, Sunday school superintendent and teacher, building and grounds committee member, search committee member, crucifer, acolyte and chalice bearer, and, with his wife, hosted numerous coffee hours following Sunday services. He was a member of Bethlehem Lodge # 85 F&AM in Delmar.
Loving husband, for 61 years, of the late Elma Mae (Wagner) Peters who passed away in 2010; devoted father of Robert L. Peters (Susan) and Betty Bertrand (Dan); cherished grandfather of Philip Peters (Kara), Charles Peters (Lisa), Michael Mason (Courtney) and Jennifer Hughes (Chris); proud great-grandfather of Alivia, Lucas and Emma Peters, Logan and Tyler Mason and Aubrey and Aidan Hughes. Also surviving are several nieces, nephews and cousins.
A Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday at 11am in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Albany by the Reverend Michael Greene, Rector. The Rite of Committal and burial will follow in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, Colonie with U.S. Navy honors. Friends are invited to attend and may also visit with Robert’s family on Wednesday, prior to the service, from 10 am until 11 am at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests donations to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 21 Hackett Boulevard, Albany, NY 12208 or to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, 3 Oakland Avenue, Menands, NY 12204 in memory of Robert W. Peters
Born at home on Dana Avenue in Albany on July 2, 1926, Robert was the son of Philip E. and Ethel E. (Warren) Peters.
Bob grew up in Albany where he attended Public School 24 and later Albany High School from where he graduated. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II and served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater on board the USS Converse (DD 509), USS Charles Ausburne (DD-570) and the USS Smalley (DD-565). He was honorably discharged on June 21, 1946 and returned home to Albany where, three years later, on July 9, 1949, he married the former Elma Mae Wagner, a friend since kindergarten, and they soon started a family. On September 8, 1950, Bob returned to Navy duty off the coast of Korea during the Korean War on board the USS St. Paul (CA-73). He returned home on April 15, 1952 and was awarded the Korean Ribbon, Navy Occupation Ribbon and the United Nations Ribbon for his service. He had previously been awarded the American Theater Medal, the Victory Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Theater Medal for his service in World War II.
Bob was employed, for a number of years, by the W.M. Whitney Department Store in Albany and later by the Home and City Savings Bank in Albany and its successors from where he retired in 1991.
In retirement he enjoyed puttering around his house, spending time with his family and travelling with Elma. He was a life-long and active member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Albany where he served on the Vestry, as an usher, Sunday school superintendent and teacher, building and grounds committee member, search committee member, crucifer, acolyte and chalice bearer, and, with his wife, hosted numerous coffee hours following Sunday services. He was a member of Bethlehem Lodge # 85 F&AM in Delmar.
Loving husband, for 61 years, of the late Elma Mae (Wagner) Peters who passed away in 2010; devoted father of Robert L. Peters (Susan) and Betty Bertrand (Dan); cherished grandfather of Philip Peters (Kara), Charles Peters (Lisa), Michael Mason (Courtney) and Jennifer Hughes (Chris); proud great-grandfather of Alivia, Lucas and Emma Peters, Logan and Tyler Mason and Aubrey and Aidan Hughes. Also surviving are several nieces, nephews and cousins.
A Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday at 11am in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Albany by the Reverend Michael Greene, Rector. The Rite of Committal and burial will follow in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, Colonie with U.S. Navy honors. Friends are invited to attend and may also visit with Robert’s family on Wednesday, prior to the service, from 10 am until 11 am at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests donations to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 21 Hackett Boulevard, Albany, NY 12208 or to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, 3 Oakland Avenue, Menands, NY 12204 in memory of Robert W. Peters