Honoring Gordon Peters

An Outstanding Legacy

The Friends of Friedrichshafen, and the entire city of Peoria, lost a great friend the other day.
Gordon Peters, founder and president of the Friends of Friedrichshafen, former chairman of the Peoria Sister City Commission, and engaged volunteer/philanthropist in the greater Peoria community, passed away on April 27 in his Green Valley, Ariz., home. He was 79 years young.
As was written about him in his obituary, “Known for his enthusiasm, energy, sense of humor and enjoyment of helping others, Gordon S. Peters lived his life by the premise that men are not owed something by their community, but rather owe something to it. “Peoria's Outstanding Young Man of 1958 gave much to his community, as a longtime member of the Peoria County Board of Supervisors, philanthropic community volunteer and family man. One of Peters' greatest joys was bringing people together.”
We can see his handiwork all over our community. For example, Gordon and his wife, Jean, donated the sister city clock at Peoria's City Hall and the Gateway Fountain in Riverfront Plaza.
But his legacy is far greater than that. If our lives are measured by the number of other lives we touch, Gordon’s life was well spent. By helping found the sister city relationship between Peoria and Friedrichshafen, he has touched thousands of lives, and he will continue to touch thousands more as the Friends of Friedrichshafen continues the work he began. Every personal connection made during our youth exchanges, through business and cultural connections, and through adult trips, validates the spirit with which Gordon lived his life. An outstanding man. Who lived an outstanding life.