Harvey M. Peck

Harvey M. Peck, MD, JD

Harvey Peck passed away peacefully at his home in Mahwah, N.J. on August 5, 2023. He was 94 years old. A brilliant radiologist, he led a rich and varied life filled with adventure, world travel, scholarship and love of history, music and poetry. He was especially devoted to his extensive and accomplished family.

A graduate of Yeshiva and James Madison high school in Brooklyn where he grew up, Dr. Peck and his sister Sylvia were the first generation in their family to attend college. He graduated with honors from Harvard College, Yale Medical School and later Seton Hall Law School. After serving as a doctor in the United States Air Force in Germany, he built and grew a radiology practice over 55 years at Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern, NY. There he spearheaded the acquisition of advanced imaging and therapeutic equipment including the first cobalt machine, first super voltage unit and one of the first CAT scan machines in the region. In 1970, he moved his family to Israel for a year where he helped build the radiology department at Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv, today one of the world's foremost centers for diagnostics and therapeutics. A visionary in the medical field, he was part of a group that launched a network of walk-in health care clinics, although the concept was too early for its time. He remained affiliated with Mt. Sinai hospital for 25 years where he co-edited the Radiological journal with Dr. Claude Bloch.

He was one of the first in the country to hold both an MD and a JD degree. With his law degree, he spent ten years at Meiselman, Farber, et. al. of Westchester, NY contributing his expertise to the defense of doctors. He refused remuneration for his services there as a matter of principle.

A true Renaissance Man, Dr. Peck spoke five languages and read voraciously. His hobbies were as varied as climbing the Grand Tetons to building a harpsichord, to performing the lead in community musical theater productions, to collecting antique cars. Up until the very end, he recited classical poetry by heart.

His greatest love was his family. He leaves a legacy of four children, twelve grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He often stated how much joy their integrity and accomplishments brought him. He urged them all to follow their gifts and fulfill their potential. "The only way to hit a home run," he would say "is to swing big." He is survived by daughters Sarah Peck (Daniel Wofford) of Bryn Mawr, PA, Jennifer Peck Fainberg (Jack Fainberg) of Brookline Mass and Narraganset RI, Sabrina Peck of New York, NY and son Dr. Joel Peck (Soledad Peck) of Honolulu HI along with grandchildren Ben and Andrew Wofford, Dr. Jonathan Fainberg (Dr. Kiger Lau), Rebecca Fainberg, Joshua Peck, and Samantha, Aleeza, Rachel, Ariel, Ilana, Zuriel and Nava-Brielle Peck along with three great granddaughters Charlie, Max and Zoe Fainberg.

Dr. Peck is survived by his former wife, Judith Peck of Mahwah N.J., and pre-deceased by his partners Betty Thompson and Joyce Green. Burial will be private. A celebration of life is planned for the future. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Magen David Adom -- www.afmda.org ` and CityStep -- www.CityStep.org.