Leon S. Peters was a businessman, licensed engineer, and philanthropist in California's
San Joaquin Valley
The San Joaquin Valley ( ; Spanish language in California, Spanish: ''Valle de San Joaquín'') is the southern half of California's Central Valley (California), Central Valley. Famed as a major breadbasket, the San Joaquin Valley is an importa ...
. Peters was born in 1905 in the city of
Fowler, California
Fowler (formerly, Fowler's Switch) is a city in Fresno County, California, United States. It is located within the San Joaquin Valley. It has a strong agricultural community, with lush grape vineyards and expansive farmland. Fowler is located ...
to Samuel and Lily Peters who were Armenian immigrants from
Bitlis
Bitlis ( or ; ) is a city in southeastern Turkey. It is the seat of Bitlis District and Bitlis Province. Between 1926 and 1929 Peters worked for his uncle's grape packing business where he would be recruited as a salesman for Valley Foundry and Machine Works. In 1940 Peters purchased the company from its owners. During
World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
Peters became the president of the Central California War Industries company which was later awarded the Army-Navy E award. After the war he continued his role in manufacturing as President of Valley Foundry and Machine Works and became known for helping raise money for the expansion
California State University, Fresno
California State University, Fresno (Fresno State) is a public university in Fresno, California, United States. It is part of the California State University system. The university had a fall 2020 enrollment of 25,341 students. It offers 60 ba ...
and the Community Medical Center. Known for being active in the local community Peters was a member of the Fresno Chamber of Commerce, Masons, and Rotary; in 1955 he founded the Leon S Peters Foundation.
Honorary degrees
In 1996 Leon Peters was posthumously awarded an honorary doctorate from California State University, Fresno.San Joaquin College of Law awarded an honorary
Juris Doctor
A Juris Doctor, Doctor of Jurisprudence, or Doctor of Law (JD) is a graduate-entry professional degree that primarily prepares individuals to practice law. In the United States and the Philippines, it is the only qualifying law degree. Other j ...