Ralph Edgar Peters

Ralph Edgar Peters, Sr.

A man of uncommon character and leadership, Ralph Edgar Peters, Sr. passed from this world to the next on December 22, 2015. Mr. Peters was born to George and Rebecca (Michener) Peters on February 20, 1923 at the Harrisburg Hospital. He grew up with his Uncle Walter and Aunt Leoma Peters in Harrisburg, graduating from William Penn High School in 1941 and from Pennsylvania State University in 1948. Throughout his high school and college years, one of his greatest pleasures was playing on the varsity tennis teams.

A member of the greatest generation, World War II interrupted his time in college. Mr. Peters proudly served in the U.S. Army in France and considered his becoming a Master Sergeant at age 21 one of his greatest accomplishments. He was recalled during the Korean Conflict and promoted to Second Lieutenant.

Mr. Peters returned to civilian life and to Penn State on the G.I. Bill, completing his B.A. in Business Administration in 1948. He was employed by the Business Office at Penn State for several years before joining the architecture and engineering firm of Louis Berger, Inc. in the early 1950’s as the business manager. In this position, Mr. Peters traveled the world, organizing offices for the Berger Company from Madrid to Hong Kong to Nigeria and in many other countries around the globe. In the 1970s he became President and CEO of Harrisburg-based Benatec Associates, a firm of architects, engineers and planners with branch offices in other states. In addition, Mr. Peters was president of Harrisburg Machine and Welding Company, Inc. and a consulting firm, R.E. Peters Associates, Inc. of Camp Hill.

Mr. Peters was a leader in every aspect of the word and served a wide range of community organizations that provide basic human needs, employment, health care and education. He began his civic leadership in the 1950s as president of the Pennsylvania Jaycees and Vice President of the U.S. Jaycees. Throughout his lifetime he continued to serve, often as chair, on the boards of many institutions and agencies including but not limited to the Harrisburg Area and the Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce, Holy Spirit Hospital Board, University Center at Harrisburg, Tri-County United Way, Pennsylvania State University – Harrisburg Board of Advisors, YMCA Board, Governors State Job Training Coordinating Council, Allied Arts, Pennsylvania Information Highway Association, Capital Region Economic Development Council, and Americans for a Competitive Enterprise System. Mr. Peters was quite active in his church, Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Highland Park, serving as Church Council president twice and ushering at services well into his eighties. He was a longtime member of the Country Club of Harrisburg.

One true sign of his leadership ability is the fact that he received his first service award in 1958, being named Outstanding Young Man of the Year by the Greater Harrisburg Jaycees. Other highlights over the years include: The Penn State Alumni Achievement Award, Distinguished Alumnus and Alumni Fellow Award; Community Service Award from the Salvation Army; March of Dimes Man of the Year; CREDC Catalyst Award; a Presidential Citation; PHIA’s Transportation Advocate of the Year, the John Baum Humanitarian Award, the Renaissance Award (Penn State Harrisburg) and the Alexis de Tocqueville Humanitarian Award.

Mr. Peters was respected, admired and loved by many and will be remembered for his energy, commitment, optimistic demeanor and never-ending enthusiasm. His positive attitude, caring nature, patience and vibrant personality made him a wonderful friend, brother, husband, father, uncle and grandfather. He will be dearly missed.

Mr. Peters is survived by his wife of sixty-seven years, Jane (Shaffer); four children, Sheila Jane Peters, Gail Peters Jones (John William “Buzz”), Ralph Edgar Peters, Jr. (Rene Carlson), and Bret Edward Peters; two grandchildren, Sarah Marie Jones and Ralph Trevor Jones; one sister, Janet McNaughton; two brothers-in-law, David Shaffer and Reverend James Bennett; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1610 Carlisle Road in Highland Park from 1-2 pm on Saturday, January 2, 2016 followed by a Celebration of Ralph’s life at 2 pm. Fellowship will follow at Grace. Inurnment at Rolling Green Cemetery will be private. Funeral arrangements are being provided by the Parthemore Funeral Home, New Cumberland.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1610 Carlisle Road, Camp Hill, PA 17011 or to the United Way of the Capital Region.

To send messages of condolence to Ralph’s family or for driving directions, please visit www.Parthemore.com.