Front:
Russell W. Peterson
Back:
THE HONORABLE RUSSELL W. PETERSON
160
GOVERNOR, STATE OF DELAWARE
Governor Peterson was born October 3, 1916, in Portage,
Wisconsin. One of nine children, he worked his way through
high school and the University of Wisconsin, where he taught
for five years while studying for his bachelor's and doctor's
degrees in chemistry.
He came to Delaware in 1942 as a research chemist with
the Du Pont Company and was promoted through a wide
variety of management posts in research, manufacturing and
sales. In 1963, he was chosen to organize and head the
Development Department's new Research and Development
Division formed to launch new business ventures for the firm.
He developed a national reputation in this field.
Plunging into community affairs, Mr. Peterson became active
in civic programs directed towards better government and
greater opportunity for the people of Delaware.
He is perhaps best known for organizing and leading the
Three-S-Citizens Campaign, a state-wide army of 6,000 citi-
zens who succeeded in winning enactment of new corrections
laws. He also headed a Greater Wilmington Development
Council committee that introduced self-help programs - stress-
ing better jobs, training and housing
housingin disadvantaged
areas of Wilmington.
His civic activities won him numerous honors the Cor-
rectional Council of Delaware's William A. Vrooman Award,
the National Conference of Christians and Jews Citizenship
and Brotherhood Award, the State Chamber of Commerce
Josiah Marvel Cup Award, the Alpha Phi Alpha Award for
community service, and the National Municipal League's Dis-
tinguished Citizen Award.
He served on advisory commissions under three governors
before he was elected to that office on November 5, 1968. He
resigned from the Du Pont Company prior to his inauguration
on January 21, 1969.
Gov. Peterson is married to the former Lillian Turner. They
have four children - Glen, Peter and Kristin, all married
and Elin, who was a student in Junior High School at the
time of Mr. Peterson's election. The Petersons have one grand-
daughter, Karin.
VG
