Pete Litrenta Memorial Scholarship
Pete Litrenta served in the U.S. Navy from 1964 to 1989. He served three tours in Vietnam which included the Gulf of Tonkin incident that triggered America’s expansion of the Vietnam War. Litrenta organized the news bureau in Beirut and was a spokesman for the Marines. After 25 years of service, including tours in Hollywood, Hawaii, Italy and Greece, he retired as a captain.
In 1989, he became Vice President of Communications and Military Affairs at the Greater San Diego Chamber of Commerce. He then joined the America’s Cup Organizing Committee and was in charge of Community Relations. In June 1992, he was selected to direct the San Diego Port Tenants Association. Upon relinquishing the post, was elected Director Emeritus. He joined the Manchester Financial Group as a Senior Executive in 1996 and in 2002 formed his own consulting firm, Integrity Ink.
Litrenta organized and implemented the first San Diego Rally Against Drugs, which mobilized more than 35,000 participants. He was instrumental in organizing the first Relay for Life in Coronado and led “Team Pete” with friends and family in the fight against cancer.
His colleagues and friends have described Litrenta as a determined community volunteer who was completely loyal to those in uniform. He was commended by many for his “outstanding community service, leadership and unselfish commitment to numerous non-profit and charitable organizations.” These organization include: San Diego USO; San Diego Convention and Visitors’ Bureau; San Diego Taxpayers Association; the Holiday and Poinsettia Bowls; San Diego Port Tenants Association; San Diego Fleet Week Foundation; and the Mayor’s BRAC Task Force. He was instrumental in bringing the USS Midway Museum to San Diego. Litrenta served as President of the San Diego Fleet Week Foundation and was inducted into the Fleet Week Hall of Fame.
Litrenta earned his bachelor’s degree in Communications through the NROTC program at Notre Dame in 1964 and his master’s degree in Public Relations from Boston University in 1972.
Litrenta, 66, passed away in April 2009 and is greatly missed.
