Robert John Peregrin

Robert "Bob" John Peregrin, 85, entered into eternal peace with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, December 18th, 2014 at the Akron General Hospice of Visiting Nurse Service, in Akron Ohio. Bob was born on June 6, 1929, to the late John and Veronica Peregrin. He was the older of two children. He graduated high school from Holy Family Academy in Bayonne, New Jersey and later earned a Bachelor's Degree with a major in Psychology and a minor in English at Upsala College located in East Orange, New Jersey. He enlisted in the United States Army in May of 1952 and proudly served his country during the Korean War as a Platoon Leader. Subsequent to his discharge from active duty, he served in the United States Army reserve, obtaining his discharge as a First Lieutenant in 1960. Bob served with the 45th Infantry Division of the Army or the famous Thunderbirds, which has since disbanded. While in the Army, Bob met the love of his life, Patricia ("Pat") Marie Frommer, at a wedding of a mutual friend. He often recanted to his children that on his first dance with Pat at that wedding, he told her he was going to marry her. His words were quite prophetic as on November 6, 1954, Bob and Pat married and they spent the next 31 years together until Pat's untimely passing in 1985. Of the marriage, 4 children were born. Bob's career began as a relay adjuster for Western Electric Company in New York and during his time with Western Electric, he was transferred to Oklahoma City in 1959 and rose to a senior purchasing manager, ultimately leaving the company in 1974 to pursue other career opportunities. Over the next 25 years, Bob worked in various purchasing capacities at Viking Industries, LSB Industries, Skytop Brewster, Gray Tool and Sprout Bauer retiring from corporate business in the mid 1990's. Even in retirement, Bob continued to work part-time at EARC in Edmond helping to generate contracts for the disabled employees employed at EARC. During his lifetime, Bob gave of his time abundantly in various community activities, including coaching baseball and basketball for his children. He umpired baseball for years at the North Side All Sports Association in Northwest Oklahoma City. Bob was quite faithful to his Catholicism and he was a lifelong parishioner of St. Eugene's Catholic Church. He was involved throughout the years in many church activities serving on a variety of boards, volunteering for various parish activities and teaching Sunday school with his wife Pat. Bob was a man of faith, family, immense integrity, honesty, generosity and compassion for others that knew no bounds. His life revolved around faith, family and friends and these values were paramount in his lifetime. Bob's quick wit, uncanny ability to tell stories and love of life will be profoundly missed by all. Preceding him in death and welcoming him into her heavenly arms is his beloved wife, Patricia. He leaves his loving memories and love of storytelling to be cherished by his son, Robert and wife, Donna; grandchildren Jacob and his wife Amy, and Sam, son, Mark and wife Shannon; grandchildren Joe, Jack and Drew, daughter Lynn and husband, Gregg Gerdich; grandson, Sean, daughter Susan and husband Rick Pittenger; grandchildren, Brent and Cassie; along with family and many lifetime friends. An evening prayer service with Rosary at 6:30 p.m. will be held on Friday, January 2, 2015 at Smith Kernke Funeral Home 14624 N. May Ave., Oklahoma City. Mass of Christian Burial celebrating his life will be held the following day on Saturday, January 3, 2015 at 10:00 AM at St. Eugene Catholic Church, 2400 W. Hefner Rd, Oklahoma City, OK 73120. A graveside service to follow with full military honors, will be at Resurrection Memorial Cemetery at 7801 N.W. Expressway, Oklahoma City OK 73132. Bob, Mark and Lynn wish to send a heartfelt thanks and deep appreciation to Susan, Rick, Brent and Cassie Pittenger, for their unwavering love, care and commitment in making Bob's final six years, one of laughter, love and music! The family would like to thank Akron General Hospice of Visiting Nurse Service, in Akron Ohio, for their dedication and loving care on his final day. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a memorial donation be made in Bob's name to the Alzheimer's Association at http://www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp or to a charity of your passion. Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10