Remembering Zumbro Bend Rendezvous’ Pirate Bob

If you ever attended the Zumbro Bend Rendezvous in September in Mantorville, Minn., you probably met Pirate Bob. If you went to any other area rendezvous, you probably met Pirate Bob.

Robert "Pirate Bob" Peterson was born in Waseca on Sept. 29, 1954. He was an electrician for Adair electric in Rochester for 27 years. He married another person with a heart of gold, Vicki Skinner, in 1973. They had two children, Erik and Patrick. Bob and Vicki were in charge of the Zumbro Bend Rendezvous in Mantorville for the past 13 years. Bob volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch and the Mantorville Melodrama Theatre Co. He was a past president, treasurer and a lifetime member of the Dodge County Historical Society.

He was willing to do anything for anybody. Before he became ill, I asked him if he would help with some electrical work on my house when I was ready. And he said yes.

Bob was diagnosed with bladder cancer about a year ago. He passed away on Saturday, Sept. 5, as friends and family gathered for the annual Rendezvous event that was held annually on their beautiful property in Wasioja Township, near Mantorville. Many in attendance fired off their rifles into the air as he was taken from his home as a final salute to this man who had a huge collection of guns, which he talked about at Rendezvous events.

Funeral services will be at 2PM on Thursday, Sept. 10, at the United Methodist Church, 20 First Street N.E., Dodge Center. Burial will be in the Wildwood Cemetery in Wasioja, Minn.

Visitation will be from 5-8PM on Wednesday, Sept. 9, at Czaplewski Family Funeral Home, 25 South Street S.W., Dodge Center, and one hour before the service at the church.

By the way, if you ever were at the rendezvous in Mantorville and heard someone yell "fire in the hole" and then there was a loud boom, that was Bob. Bob, until we meet again down the road, my friend.