Allen Peters

Allen R. “Pete” Peters passed away peacefully at his Corvallis home on March 7, 2016, at the age of 87, surrounded by his family. He was born on Sept. 24, 1928, in Long Beach, California, to Allen and Margaret (Murphy) Peters. Pete grew up in Portland and attended Columbia Prep and Grant High School before enlisting in the US Navy at the age of 17. He served on the USS New Jersey and USS New Kent in World War II. He attended Vanport College until recalled to active duty aboard the USS Jupiter in the Korean combat zone. Pete attended Lewis & Clark College before enrolling at the University of Oregon, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in journalism (advertising) and history. While at U of O he played varsity football as a 147 pound linebacker and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Pete began his career in advertising sales at the Corvallis Gazette-Times. He served as Advertising Director, General Manager and Assistant to the Publisher before retiring in 1985 after 30 years. During his tenure with the paper, he oversaw construction of the “new” GT building at Sixth and Jefferson and helped prepare the Mount St. Helens contingency plan for the Lee Enterprise papers in the Western US. While he was once told by the publisher to “stay out of the newsroom,” a quote from the paper’s coverage of his retirement referred to him as “Mr. GT,” the guy who got phone calls at all hours if people didn’t like what they read in the paper. Pete was part of the local business community’s effort to woo Hewlett Packard and Fred Meyer to town. He was active in many community organizations including Corvallis Jaycees (president), The Elks Club, Rotary Club of Corvallis (president, Paul Harris Fellow) and The Benton County Foundation Board. He assisted with fundraising campaigns for Good Samaritan Hospital and the Corvallis Library expansion. However, as the Benton County fundraising rep for U of O’s Autzen Stadium project, he held the dubious distinction of raising the least amount of money! Pete married OSU Nutrition Instructor Jean McLeod on July 11, 1959. They had 56 great years and enjoyed travel all over the United States, to countries in Asia, Europe and South America, as well as Australia and New Zealand. Some of these trips were in conjunction with Rotary International Conventions and the Peters’ home was often the host to visiting Rotarians and Rotary exchange students. Pete and Jean frequently spent time at the vacation home they built at Tollgate near Sisters. While a loyal Duck, Pete was also a genuine Beaver fan and attended many home and away football games through the years. After retirement he discovered computers and digital photography. During a few years as snow birds to Arizona, he took up jewelry making and liked to share his knowledge of computers with other seniors. His favorite photography subject was his five beloved grandchildren and he took numerous photos at concerts, plays, sporting events or birthdays. Family, friends and families of other children in the photos received Pete’s refrigerator magnet photos. He was known for creating funny cards for every occasion and his annual “Peters Gazette” at Christmas. He is survived by his wife Jean; daughter Kathy Dooley (Shawn) of Bellingham, Washington; son Steve Peters (Cathy) of Corvallis; and grandchildren Meagan Dooley, Nikki Peters, Kellen Dooley and Lexi Peters. He was preceded in death by his sister, Marie Boesch, and grandson Zach Peters. Thank you to Benton Hospice Service for their compassionate care and assistance to Pete and his family. Memorial contributions may be made to the Benton Community Foundation’s Peters Family Fund that awards annual scholarships to Benton County high school students entering OSU to study in the College of Health and Human Services. A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 19, at McHenry Funeral Home, followed by a celebration of life at the Corvallis Country Club.

Tributes

Allen Peters

March 24, 1928 - March 7, 2016