Ralph Peters
1923 -
Interview Length: 77 minutes
Interview Date: June 11, 2009
Interview Location: WHBG Channel 20, 223 Walnut Street, Harrisburg, PA
Harrisburg native Ralph Peters spent the first six years of life on Chestnut Street before his family moved to Camp Hill. When his mother experienced a breakdown, Peters was first cared for by relatives in Williamsport and then returned to Harrisburg for junior high school and high school. After graduation, he enlisted in the Army. Post-war, he attended Penn State University on the GI Bill, and then entered the Reserves where he became a master sergeant at age 22. Upon returning to Harrisburg, he was hired as a comptroller for Berger Associates, an engineering company that worked on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, military projects overseas and dams and water systems throughout the world. In the 1980s, Berger Associates was for sale and Peters bought it and renamed it Benatec. It has been responsible for numerous Pennsylvania road and highway projects under Peters's leadership.
- Ralph Peters talks about where he grew up and his parents.
- Ralph Peters talks about his earliest childhood memories.
- Ralph Peters talks about the Great Depression in Harrisburg.
- Ralph Peters talks about his parents occupations.
- Ralph Peters lightly touches on his schooling and talks about his mothers' illness.
- Ralph Peters talks more about his schooling from elementary school to his first year at Penn State.
- Ralph Peters remembers working his way through college and being drafted for World War II.
- Ralph Peters talks about attending Penn State and working for them as well.
- Ralph Peters talks about the U.S. Army reserves and being called to train the new troops for the Korean War.
- Ralph Peters talks about returning to Harrisburg and his first job upon his return.
- Ralph Peters talks about the evolution of Berger Associates.
- Ralph Peters recalls some of the particular projects that he has worked on and how his career has evolved.
- Ralph Peters talks about how Berger Associates became what is know today as Benatec.
- Ralph Peters talks about some of the engineering projects he was involved with in Harrisburg.
- Ralph Peters talks about his community involvement.
- Ralph Peters talks about his peers in the industry.
- Ralph Peters talks about his current activities in the community.
- Ralph Peters talks about being on the Board of Benatec.
- Ralph Peters recalls how Harrisburg was back when he was young and the changes he has seen.
- Ralph Peters talks about human services in Harrisburg.
- Ralph Peters talks about the importance of education.
- Ralph Peters talks about what changes he has seen at his alma mater, Penn State.
- Ralph Peters talks about his involvement with transportation in Harrisburg.
- Ralph Peters talks about building an arts community in Harrisburg.
- Ralph Peters talks about what he feels are his major accomplishments.
- Ralph Peters talks about things he never did and never had.
- Ralph Peters talks about some of the awards he has received in his lifetime.
- Ralph Peters talks recalls significant memories of Harrisburg that stand out for him and Harrisburg's flooding issues.
- Ralph Peters talks about some unforgettable moments and why he loves living in Harrisburg.
- Ralph Peters talks about the challenges he feels we face in the Harrisburg are.
- Ralph Peters talks about his love of Harrisburg and his children.
