Robert Sherman Peterson of Lumberton died unexpectedly Saturday, May 26, 2018, at Duke Medical Center in Durham. Robert was a deeply loved son, husband, brother and friend.

Born September 5, 1957, Robert was the son of the late Arthur William Peterson and Cleo Elliott Peterson.

Survivors include: wife, Melissa Henderson Peterson, and beloved dogs, Duke and Tux, of Lumberton; brother and sister-in-law, Pete and Teresa Peterson of Pawleys Island, SC; sister and brother-in-law, Nancy and Mitchell Setzer of Hickory, NC; father-in-law, Jimmy Henderson of Cherry Grove, SC; mother-in-law and husband, Rachel and Fred Floyd of Conway, SC; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, James Lee and Amy Henderson of Little River, SC; nephews Will Peterson and wife, Rachael of Raleigh, NC and Andrew Peterson and wife Pam of Asheville, NC; niece Lesley Reitzel of Charlotte, NC, Kris Setzer-Poole and husband Bryan of Atlanta, GA, Cami Preti and husband Chris of Spokane, WA, Kayla Moody of Little River, SC and Jami Henderson of Little River, SC; great-nieces Violet and Milly Peterson of Raleigh, NC; Roxanne and Ramona Peterson of Asheville, NC; aunt and uncle Estellene and Edgar Johnson of Erwin, TN; and many cousins. He is also survived by his Peterson Automotive family of coworkers.

A graduate of Fred T. Foard High School and Western Piedmont Community College, Robert moved from Hickory at 20 years old and started selling Toyotas in Beaufort, SC. He served as Vice President and COO of Peterson Automotive, Inc. in Lumberton, NC. Next March would have marked a 40-year career with Toyota.

Robert's greatest joys were being with his wife, Melissa, and their dogs, spending time with family and friends watching any type of racing and telling grand stories from his life experiences.

The family will receive friends prior to the memorial service on Sunday, June 10, 2018, from 2:00-3:00 PM at Floyd Mortuary & Crematory, Inc., 809 East 5th Street in Lumberton . Following the visitation, the service will be held at 3:00 PM with Rev. Garry McMillian officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to:

American Cancer Society, 8300 Health Park, Suite 10, Raleigh, NC 27615 or

Robeson County Humane Society, PO Box 3609, Lumberton, NC 28359.