Biographical Information:
Peter Bohmer was an assistant economics professor at San Diego State University during the 1960s. During his time at SDSU, he was known for his activism, participating in many campus demonstrations. In 1971, Bohmer was charged with unprofessional conduct and eventually fired by Chancellor Glenn S. Dumke. In December of 1971, a hearing was held behind closed doors in downtown San Diego to determine Bohmer's future with the university. More than 100 people testified on Bohmer's behalf. On December 19, he was cleared of all charges. However, he was not recommended for rehire and the university President, Donald Walker, immediately called for a new set of hearing based upon new evidence. Bohmer was eventually recommended for rehire by Chancellor Dumke, but would never work at SDSU again.
In 1972, Bohmer was arrested and convicted of staging a protest against the Santa Fe Railroad in Del Mar, CA. He and several others placed timber on the railroad tracks, setting fire to it in order to protest the railroad's practice of shipping war materials through San Diego. He was sentenced to Chino State Prison and ordered to undergo psychological observation for 90 days. After his release from prison, Bohmer left California. He returned to MIT to finish his doctorate. He later went to Pennsylvania State University for further studies. He eventually moved to Washington where he taught public administration. He also married and had 3 children.
From the guide to the Peter Bohmer Collection, 1964-1979, (Special Collections & University Archives)
