Val Peterson

Frederick Valdemar Erastus Peterson (July 18 1903 – October 17 1983), also known as Val Peterson, was an American Republican politician who served as governor of Nebraska from 1947 to 1953.

Biography

Peterson was born in Oakland, Burt County, Nebraska. He received his BA degree from Wayne State Teachers College and a master's degree in political science from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. Following 1933, Peterson maintained his permanent residence in Elgin, Nebraska.

Before World War II, Peterson worked as a teacher, school administrator, and newspaper man. During World War II, he served in the United States Army Air Forces.

In December 1951, Governor Peterson appointed Fred Andrew Seaton to the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Kenneth S. Wherry.

Peterson served in the Dwight D. Eisenhower administration as director of the Federal Civil Defense Administration (FCDA) from 1953–1957.

As Federal Civil Defense Administrator, Val Peterson is reputed to have speculated about the possibility of creating a cobalt doomsday bomb [http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/nuclear/1chap.htm] .

Peterson served as U.S. U.S. ambassador to Denmark, 1957–1961 and to Finland, 1969–1973.

Peterson died October 17, 1983 in Fremont, Nebraska. He is interred at Oakdale Cemetery, Oakdale, Nebraska. The fine arts building at his alma mater, Wayne State College, was named in his honor soon afterward. A variety of autographed photographs representing his political career (particularly a full Eisenhower Cabinet photo with autographs of each member, as well as a personally inscribed color photograph of Richard Nixon) were on display for many years at the Wayne State library. However, the photos began to deteriorate due to exposure, and had to be removed; they are still in the possession of the college.

ee related

* "Peterson, (Frederick) Val(demar Erastus)" in "Current Biography 1949."

ources

* [http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ho/po/com/10497.htm United States Department of State: Ambassadors to Denmark]
* [http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ho/po/com/10575.htm United States Department of State: Ambassadors to Finland]
* [http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/peterson.html#RLK0RH7GZ The Political Graveyard: Peterson, Frederick Valdemar Erastus]