A tribute to 'an exemplary citizen of Cornell'

George Peter was an exemplary citizen of Cornell. I first met him in January 1977, when I was being interviewed in connection with the presidency of Cornell. George was then a member of the board of trustees and of the trustee committee charged with selecting the next Cornell president.

George came to Cornell in 1947, after graduating from Ithaca High School and then serving with distinction in World War II. He once remarked, "I left a job that was paying $4,400 a year and took one at Cornell that paid $2,200. I believed Cornell could help me to develop and learn, and it has done that." That relationship between George and Cornell was mutual. George helped Cornell develop and, in turn, helped it to learn.

During his 10 years as an elected staff member of Cornell's board of trustees, he served on its most important committees, the Buildings and Properties Committee and the Executive Committee. He was respected and admired by other trustees, and he played an active role in the life and work of the board.

George came to Cornell as an electronics technician and soon became involved in the creation of the great radio telescope at Arecibo, Puerto Rico. This radio telescope, still the largest in the world, depended for its functioning on a design [that] presented a host of problems in engineering and construction, and George was at the front and center in addressing these problems. He and Gloria were one of five Cornell couples who formed the pioneer Arecibo community, living onsite while the telescope was undergoing construction and development.

Though George himself had received only a high school diploma, he was later to lecture to astronomers and engineers on the electronics of the new instrument and to guide visiting scientists and incoming graduate students in the practical issues of its use.

In addition to his many technical contributions to Arecibo, he also wrote a comprehensive history of radio electronics at the observatory.

On top of his full-time roles, George was one of the founders of the University Assembly, the Cornell Recreation Club and Pawprint, the newspaper by and for Cornell employees, for which he wrote a regular column, "Leadership Leads." Even after his retirement after 41 years of distinguished service to the university, George continued to reach out to members of the Cornell community -- he was active in the Cornell Retirees Association and served for a time as its president.

In these ventures, Gloria, his wife of more than 60 years, was an active partner. When their children established the Peter Plaza between Uris Hall and the Statler, the whole family celebrated their devotion to Cornell.

It is fitting that the Employee Assembly renamed its Dedicated Service Award in George's honor in 1999. The award recognizes devoted service among members of the staff and especially those who extended themselves beyond their normal responsibilities to help others.

Throughout my years at Cornell, George Peter was not only a colleague, but also a trusted and admired adviser and friend. Generations of students, faculty and staff looked to George as an inspiration and were encouraged by his example, inspired by his dedication and enriched by his friendship. When the history of Cornell is written, he will stand out as one of its most exemplary citizens, one of its finest ambassadors and one of its greatest champions.

Adapted from remarks delivered at a memorial service for George Peter on Aug. 17, 2008, by Frank H.T. Rhodes, Cornell's president from 1977-1995.

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