Fresno State supporter Pete P. Peters dies at 94

By Collegian Staff | March 15, 2012 | News, Top Story

Pete P. Peters made his mark as a successful businessman and
philanthropist. Peters made many contributions to the Fresno State
community and was conferred an honorary doctoral degree during the
university’s 2009 commencement. Peters died in his home on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of University CommunicationsPete P. Peters, an
accomplished businessman and community benefactor, passed away March
13 at his Fresno area home. He was 94.

Dr. Peters and his brother Leon S. Peters were respected business
leaders and philanthropists. Together they owned and operated Valley
Foundry, which manufactured wine grape crushers and nautical equipment
for the armed forces during World War II.

Dr. Peters belonged to a philanthropic family whose generous support
of Fresno State is apparent throughout campus. The Leon S. and Pete P.
Peters Educational Center in the Student Recreation Center and the
Pete P. Peters Ellipse Balcony in the Madden Library were named in
honor of Mr. Peters.

The family name also appears on the Leon S. Peters Building, Alice
Peters Auditorium (named for Leon Peters’ wife), and the Leon S. Peter
Ellipse Gallery.

Fresno State conferred an honorary doctoral degree on Mr. Peters
during the university’s 2009 commencement ceremony.

`I am deeply saddened by the passing of Pete Peters, a member of a
family whose legacy is written large on our campus and elsewhere in
Fresno,’ said Fresno State President John D. Welty. `Dr. Peters was a
man of integrity who didn’t seek the spotlight even as his generosity
brightened thousands of lives.

`He supported our students through nursing, business and viticulture
scholarships, as well as establishing an endowment in Armenian
Studies,’ added Welty. `His contribution to the entire cultural arts
community is reflected in the exhibit space of our Henry Madden
Library.’

Dr. Peters also supported the President’s Fund, Ag One Foundation, the
library, the Bulldog Foundation, the Leon S. Peters Honors Scholars
and the Business Associates Program.

The youngest son of Armenian immigrants, Mr. Peters longed to attend
college. Instead, he and his brother dedicated themselves to growing
the family business. Both were widely respected as an ethical
businessmen and community benefactors

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress