Rob Peterson is Portland born and raised. With two older brothers, Roger and Billy, Rob grew up in a multi-generational home with his grandparents, parents and siblings. He helped care for his grandfather who had polio and was close to both of his grandparents. Sports were always important to Rob and he played both basketball and baseball throughout his youth. Rob's father was the shop foreman for Hannah Industries for 21 years. He later became a Portland Public Schools custodian until retiring. His mom was a stay-at-home mom until Rob was 15. She then went to work for TriMet and now works for SAM, the public transportation system connecting Gresham to Sandy. Rob's parents ended their marriage when he was 17 and it was a pivotal point in his life. He could either move forward with bad feelings or choose to see the days ahead as an opportunity for better. He remembers making the decision to move forward with the very best of intentions.
After his high school graduation, he experienced a major setback. Rob was playing American Legion Baseball and tore the ulnar nerve in his pitching elbow. Surgery was not an option due to the cost, so he had to let the injury heal on its own. This ended his hopes of continuing with baseball. He attended one year of college at Mt Hood Community College, studying Communications, then entered the work force.
Rob and his wife Michael Gene (MG) met in the 6th grade on the playground and began dating in June 2006. Their only child Carter was born in 2009 and they married in 2011. In 2014, Rob was in a serious car accident which resulted in living with constant shoulder pain for six years. After numerous doctor consultations, Rob had his entire shoulder rebuilt. MG has always been a force for the good in Rob's life as his best support and cheerleader.
After his year in college, he worked at Home Depot for three years and then went to Parr Lumber for three years. Rob went to work for Cox Enterprises, working as an appraiser for Cox Automotive for two years and then Covid hit and he was laid off. In 2022 he was approached by the previous head coach of the Corbett Varsity Boy's Baseball team to be an assistant coach and JV head coach. Rob was hired and then eventually took over the position as the Varsity Baseball head coach as well as continuing as the JV coach AND the new Campus Monitor!
Rob walks all of the campuses on a regular basis, keeping an eye out for safety and building relationships with the staff and students. He is a definite enforcer of the school's guidelines and policies. Because of Rob's experiences with life and challenges, he views his time with the athletes on his teams and the students on campus as an amazing opportunity. He feels life should be viewed as the same. Life is not always easy, but if one takes responsibility, it can help in life to be better people in general.
The varsity baseball team was 0-26 last year and so far they are now 2-1 and hope to build on the early success. Each student athlete signs a four page contract before starting the season. The contract spells out how to be in the classroom, succeeding as a student and how to also be a role model for others in the community. Rob is thrilled with the opportunities at Corbett and looks forward to many years ahead.