Ruth E. Peeler's (1896-1956) citation for the state/regional level Pugsley Medal in 1955 noted that “following World War II, Mrs. Peeler started a one-woman crusade for more and better state parks in Washington.” She was born in Florence, Kansas. She moved with her family to Spokane in 1908, and in 1931 settled in the Zenith/Des Moines area of Washington. She graduated from the University of Washington and owned and operated her own advertising agency in Seattle for many years. A community activist, Peeler was elected president of the Des Moines-Zenith Improvement Club during the World War II years. During her early tenure, she helped raise funds to buy a stove and other items for the Des Moines Fieldhouse, which was dedicated in 1940.
In 1937 a State Planning Council of 16 members was formed by the governor and legislature to recommend how the state could best acquire, preserve, and develop its scenic, historical, and recreational areas. Their 61-page report presented to Governor Langlie in 1941 but was not given prominent attention because of the onset of American involvement in World War II.
In 1921 a law had been passed creating a fund for state parks consisting of revenues derived from one-fourth of highway fines and one-tenth of drivers' licenses. By 1945, several million dollars had accumulated but there was no fund. In 1945, $390,000 was allocated to finance Sun Lakes State Park, but the fund was not enough to implement the movement for a state park system.
During 1945 and 1946 she toured the state and visited all of its parks. She found it in various states of disrepair but mostly developed by the CCC and WPA organizations and was comprised of 65,000 acres, mostly the parks was managed and developed. This work had cost $8 million, but the neglect of these findings and the depreciated value had dropped to $3.5 million.