Robert Lee Peterman

Robert Lee Peterman, who everyone knew as “Pete” passed away on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Fairfax, Virginia. He was 97 years old. Pete was born on September 10, 1928, in Hershey, Pennsylvania to John William Peterman and Sarah Ellen Blouch.  He had one sister, Betty, and one half-sister, Lucille.  His father was a laborer at the Hershey Chocolate Factory and his mother was a housewife.

Pete attended Hershey High school from 1943 to 1947.  During his junior year he wrestled on the varsity wrestling team at 132 pounds.  As a senior, while wrestling at 138 pounds, Pete won the District title and later took third in the State of Pennsylvania.  During the summers, Pete  worked at Hershey Park and at the Hershey Ice Arena cleaning the ice prior to, during, and after the Hershey Bears played hockey.  After graduating from high school in June 1947, Pete enrolled in the Hershey Vocational School for three years where he learned to be an electrician.  During this time, he worked in a gas station to supplement his income.
 

In 1950, Pete was drafted into the U.S. Army and was sent to Ft. Benning, Georgia.  Following his first year in the Army Pete returned to Hershey, while on leave during Christmas in 1951, to marry his high school sweetheart, Geraldine Elizabeth Hartman, whom everyone called Jeri. After getting married on December 28, 1951, Pete returned to Ft. Benning with Jeri, where they lived until the end of 1952 when he completed his two year tour with the Army.  Upon returning to Hershey, after being discharged from the military, Pete built a ranch home at 1115 South Forge Road in Palmyra, Pennsylvania.  Shortly thereafter, he was hired as an electrician at the Hershey Chocolate Factory where he worked for 47 years. In addition to working at the chocolate factory, Pete also had several side businesses which he owned with his good friend, Ray Brensinger, to include a candy and cigarette vending machine company, pin ball machines, and several racehorses.

Pete is survived by his daughter, Karen (Peterman) Irwin; his son-in-law, Richard Irwin; and his grandchildren, Kelly, Matthew, and Kathleen Irwin.

A graveside burial service will be held at the Grand View Memorial Park, 500 North Weaber Street, Annville, Pennsylvania on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 10:00 am.

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