Robert 'Bob' Boehlke Peterson, 73

Robert "Bob" Boehlke Peterson, 73, passed away Jan. 7, 2025, at his home in Kalispell. Bob was born March 20, 1951, in Rexburg, Idaho to Robert S. Peterson and Donna Rae Boehlke. He attended schools in Rexburg and became class president his senior year. 

Bob loved spending his summers helping his grandfather and dad farm in the Clementsville area. There he developed a special love for tractors and began a lifelong hobby of collecting every toy tractor he saw. Bob also loved spending time at the family cabin overlooking Palisades Lake. Here he excelled in water skiing. This also began a love for boats, the faster the boat the better. Bob loved boating on Flathead Lake with family and friends. He also enjoyed river rafting and loved his time rafting on the Salmon River in Idaho among other rivers throughout his travels. He was also a beautiful winter skier and spent time on the slopes in Idaho, Colorado, Utah, and Montana.  

The last few years of Bob’s life were spent on his electric trike, where he would pack up his much-loved dog, Gurl, and ride up through Glacier Park. Bob is well known for his immaculate yard and home. There was never a blade of grass too long or a weed that survived. He was also well known for his love of cooking as every meal at his home was a smorgasbord.

Following high school, Bob continued his education at the University of Idaho where he received his bachelor’s degree. There he met his wife, Susan Dinning. They were married, Sept. 22, 1973. Together they had two children, Heather and David. During their marriage, Bob and Susan moved quite frequently, at various times living in Sandy, Utah; Boise Idaho; Kennewick, Washington; and Spokane, Washington. Much of that time Bob worked for Color Tile. While in Spokane, Bob and Susan were divorced. 

Bob and his partner, Larry, lived in Denver where Bob opened a recovery business for lawyers and businesses. They then moved to Kalispell to open up Ameriquest Recovery Services LLC. Bob made many great friends while living in Kalispell and after years of a successful business, tried to retire. After selling his business he discovered he did not enjoy retirement and went to work for Centsible Auto Sales. Bob loved his time in Kalispell. He was living in Kalispell when his father — also named Bob — passed away leaving Bob and his siblings 14 antique cars. The cars were located in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Bob took an interest in the cars and assisted in selling them, which was more involved than anyone imagined. At the time of his death two of the antique cars were still in his possession in Kalispell.

Bob is survived by his two children, Heather and David, sisters, Dana Hoopes of Rexburg, Idaho and Page Umek of Hagerman, Idaho; and his brother, Bill Peterson of Hayden Lake, Idaho; as well as Larry’s mother Donna Campanella of Butte, and his former wife and good friend, Susan Dinning Braun, now residing in New York.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his partner, Larry Campanella, his sister-in-law, Charmaine Peterson, his brother-in-law, John Umek, and Larry’s father, Larry Campanella Sr.

Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls is caring for the family. To send online condolences please visit www.columbiamortuary.com.