Pegels, C. Carl

February 26, 1933 - June 29, 2025

92, passed away peacefully on June 29, 2025, near his summer home in Chautauqua, NY. Carl's humility, caring nature, and generosity will be sorely missed. Born in the Netherlands, Carl immigrated to Canada with his parents in 1948. From 1955-1962, he worked at Ford Motor Company as an industrial engineer and product engineer. He received his B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Detroit Institute of Technology. In 1962, he moved to the United States to complete graduate work at Purdue University, where he received his M.S. degree in Management in 1963, and his Ph.D. degree in Management in 1966. He began his academic professorial appointment in 1966 at the University of Buffalo, SUNY. He rose to Associate Professor in 1968 and to Professor in 1980. He served as Chairman of the Department of Management Science and Systems and as Associate Dean of the School of Management. During his academic career as a professor, he published over 80 academic and professional papers, and wrote 18 academic books, including three best sellers. In the mid-seventies he became involved with the Health Maintenance Organization movement in Buffalo and was a co-founder of Independent Health. Following his retirement, he became interested in Dutch American history, compiling over 250 biographical profiles on prominent Dutch Americans, integrating them into three books and over a dozen published papers. In his later years, Carl wrote books on history, politics, and religion. In Buffalo's running circles he will be remembered as the local long- distance runner who ran 250 marathons including over 40 ultra runs, some as long as 100 miles. He was recognized by the Buffalo News as Runner of the Year five times in his age group. In 2002, he completed his quest to run at least one marathon in every state. Carl was deeply loved by his wife, Patricia Pegels, of Marana, Arizona, his daughter, Dr. Janice Pegels and her husband, Dr. James Jewell, of Westhampton, MA, his son, Kevin Pegels and wife, Nancy, of Del Mar, CA, five grandchildren, Adrian, Marcella, Ryan, Stefen, and Elena, two great grandchildren, Azlan and Ayravathi, his sister, Adriana Rowswell, and sister-in-law, Jenny Pegels. A Celebration of Life will be held on August 24, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the Presbyterian House Chapel in the Chautauqua Institution, Chautauqua, NY.

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Published by Buffalo News on Jul. 20, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for C. Pegels

4 Entries

Diane Murray

August 5, 2025

I attended UB in the 1980s. Dr. Pegels was my professor during both my Undergraduate and Graduate studies. I really liked him. He was an excellent teacher. When I read his write-up, I smiled, because as I walked into his class on some occasions; other students would be saying,´Dr. Pegels is in a good mood, because he ran today. May God bless him and his family.

Melissa Swanink

July 28, 2025

Dear Pegels Family,

Our heartfelt condolences on the loss of your loved one. Carl was a deeply respected and accomplished man - immigrating from The Netherlands and building a meaningful life in the U.S. But to us (Jolanda and Melissa), he will always be remembered as our uncle. We have such fond memories of the early days when we drove across the border to Buffalo to visit our cousins Janice and Kevin, Uncle Carl and Auntie Joyce. Whether it was in Buffalo, Etobicoke, or Essex, those family gatherings were special and Carl left a lasting impression with his kindness and intellect. Over the years, we heard or read about his many professional accomplishments, and our family was very proud (Mom saved newspaper clippings!).

Note from Mom (Betty): In his life, he will also be remembered for helping others, including me. He wrote a letter to help me gain admission to a school of nursing, at a time when colleges did not so easily accept new Canadians. I have been very grateful for his help.

Please know that we are thinking of you all in the days and weeks ahead, and we wish we could be there to honour and celebrate his life.

With love and sympathy,

Betty, Jolanda, and Melissa

Fran Harris

July 22, 2025

I feel fortunate to have many fond memories of time spent in Buffalo with Carl and Pat and his children. My deepest sympathy to the family as I know he will be sadly missed.
Love, Fran ( Monkarsh) Harris

Edward Garrity

July 21, 2025

Dr. Pegels taught my Strategic Management class in 1981. When I applied for the Ph.D. program at the University of Buffalo, he wrote a very nice letter of recommendation for me and helped me get admitted to the program. I remember a number of friendly and helpful conversations with him and being inspired by him to work hard and never give up. He was a very warm and kind person.

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