Val Peterson

Val Peterson
Gov. Val Peterson, c. 1952
United States Ambassador to Finland
In office 1969–1973
President	Richard Nixon
Preceded by	Tyler Thompson
Succeeded by	V. John Krehbiel
United States Ambassador to Denmark
In office 1957–1961
President	Dwight D. Eisenhower
Preceded by	Robert C. Coe
Succeeded by	William McCormick Blair, Jr.
26th Governor of Nebraska
In office 1947–1953
Lieutenant	Robert B. Crosby Charles J. Warner
Preceded by	Dwight Griswold
Succeeded by	Robert B. Crosby
Personal details
Born	(1903-07-18)July 18, 1903 Oakland, Nebraska, U.S.
Died	October 17, 1983(1983-10-17) (aged 80) Fremont, Nebraska, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Alma mater	University of Nebraska

Frederick Valdemar Erastus Peterson (July 18, 1903 – October 17, 1983), also known as Val Peterson, was an American politician who served as the 26th Governor of Nebraska from 1947 to 1953; as director of the Federal Civil Defense Administration from 1953–1957; as U.S. ambassador to Denmark 1957–1961; and as U.S. Ambassador to Finland, 1969–1973.

Peterson was born in Oakland, Nebraska the son of Henry C. Peterson and Hermanda (Swanberg) Peterson. 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.

Peterson worked as a teacher, school administrator, and newspaper man. He was the Elgin superintendent of schools and was the publisher of The Elgin Review for ten years. During World War II he served as lieutenant colonel in the United States Army Air Forces.

Peterson first entered politics as the campaign manager for the Hugh Butler 1940 U.S. senatorial bid. He also was the administrative assistant and secretary to Governor Dwight Griswold from 1941 to 1942. Peterson next secured the Republican gubernatorial nomination, and was elected governor in November 1946. He was reelected to a second term in 1948, and to a third term in 1950.