A TRIBUTE TO BOB, BY ROSLIN NEWTON
ROBERT T. PETERSON
Bob Peterson's life was filled with many roles: veteran, devoted husband, father, businessman, mayor and more.
But his dedication to the Sinclairville Free Library is what triggers a special sentiment in staff, trustees, volunteers and community residents.
He became a trustee of the library in 1961, serving as President of the Board for more than 20 years. Calvin Coolidge once said, "No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor is given by what he gave." This describes Bob's gift to the library.
Bob referred to the decision to build a new library building as "The Great Event!" In 2006, he shared his high hopes for the library's future: "I want it to become one of the finest small libraries in the county, and with the help of the dedicated volunteers, this goal can be reached."
He resigned as an active board trustee at the end of 2006, but remained a staunch supporter of the library, attending dinners, buying baked goods, and more. Donations were given to the library when Bob's wife, Dorothy, died in 2008. Many people also chose to remember Bob with memorial donations following his death earlier this year. The library was special to him.
Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once or twice a year. But when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in. Bob Peterson was a kind and caring volunteer. We will miss his smile, subtle humor, seeing him ride his bicycle into town, and most of all --- his steadfast allegiance to the Sinclairville Free Library.
But his dedication to the Sinclairville Free Library is what triggers a special sentiment in staff, trustees, volunteers and community residents.
He became a trustee of the library in 1961, serving as President of the Board for more than 20 years. Calvin Coolidge once said, "No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor is given by what he gave." This describes Bob's gift to the library.
Bob referred to the decision to build a new library building as "The Great Event!" In 2006, he shared his high hopes for the library's future: "I want it to become one of the finest small libraries in the county, and with the help of the dedicated volunteers, this goal can be reached."
He resigned as an active board trustee at the end of 2006, but remained a staunch supporter of the library, attending dinners, buying baked goods, and more. Donations were given to the library when Bob's wife, Dorothy, died in 2008. Many people also chose to remember Bob with memorial donations following his death earlier this year. The library was special to him.
Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once or twice a year. But when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in. Bob Peterson was a kind and caring volunteer. We will miss his smile, subtle humor, seeing him ride his bicycle into town, and most of all --- his steadfast allegiance to the Sinclairville Free Library.