Robert Petker

Obituary

Obituary

Robert Myron Petker, born on September 30, 1931, passed away on May 12, 2014 of natural causes. He was the son of Thomas and Rosella Petker, Mennonite farmers of Wasco, California. He and his sister, Norma, attended elementary and high school in Wasco. Robert also attended Bakersfield College, Fresno State, and San Jose State University. He has degrees in Business Administration and Music. In 1952, he married the love of his life, Barbara Bain. They had 2 children, Anne Louise and Allan Robert. Bob began his teaching career in Wasco and then he received an offer to teach U.S. Army dependents in Germany and France, 1959-1962. The family returned to Bakersfield, CA, and he began a 30-year career teaching choral music at Foothill and West High School. His program consisted of 4 to 5 choirs that performed in concerts, festivals, and for many local organizations. His chamber choir made 2 tours to sister city Wakayama, Japan. At the same time, he was choir director at First Presbyterian Church and his wife, Barbara, was the organist. Bob also developed his own international tour company, Petker Tours (he became an accredited travel agent in 1995). Between 1968 and 2014, Bob and Barbara organized and led more than 100 tours and cruises to destinations all over the world. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; daughter Anne Dickau (David), son Allan Petker (Kimberly), daughter Amarint Miller (Charles); grandchildren Joshua Petker (Maria), Jennifer Robinson (Joe), Elyce Berrigan-Dunlop (Nate), Colin Dickau (Lijesh), Andrew Miller and Dalyse Miller; great-grandchildren Katie Jane Robinson, Annalise Robinson, Alex Robinson, and Isabella Petker. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Oxfam America or World Vision. A life celebration service will be announced at a later date.