A. Robert "Bob" Pederson

Bob Pederson, died on Thursday, February 5, 2015 at Sanford Health.

Arthur Robert Pederson was born May 14, 1925 to Clarence and Helen (Olson) Pederson at Glenwood, MN, where he was raised and graduated from high school.

After graduation, he enlisted and served in the Combat Infantry Company, 339th Infantry, 85th Division. He received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and three major battle stars in the Italian Campaign.

Bob graduated from Luther College in Decorah, IA and on June 11, 1949, he married Dorothy Ann Hanson at Starbuck, MN. He taught in Northwood, ND and at that time received his Masters Degree from UND. He moved to Fargo and taught at Agassiz Junior High School, Central and at North (teaching chemistry). He retired in 1990 after teaching for 41 years.

During his career, he won many outstanding teacher awards, among them, the Fargo Teacher of the Year, Fargo Schools “Recognition of Excellence Award”, Outstanding Physical Science Teacher of ND, James Bryant Conant Award by Red River Valley section of the American Chemical Society, State semifinalist for Presidential Excellence Award in Science Teaching, ND Heritage Award and was inducted into the North High School Hall of Fame.

Bob also ran the clock for the boys’ basketball and football and girls’ basketball games, besides attending music concerts, swim meets and other co-curricular activities. He cared for his students and since retiring, always asked parents about their children.

Bob was a charter member of Hope Lutheran, was on the church council and the building committee, taught confirmation and ushered for many years. He was a member of The American Legion and Disabled American Veterans.

Bob is survived by his wife, Dorothy; son, Michael (Mary) Pederson and daughter, Marianne Gagelin, Fargo; grandsons, Matthew (Jennifer) Pederson, Moorhead, Mark Pederson, Fargo, Caleb Pederson, Denver, CO and Jordan Gagelin, Fargo; great-granddaughters, Caroline, Brooklyn, and Isabelle Pederson, Moorhead; brothers, Jerome (JoAnn) and Donald (Joan) Pederson, Edina, MN.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents and mother, Alice (Barlow) Pederson.