Peter Alan Willens

Peter Alan Willens of Indian Wells, California passed away on Sunday, October 22, 2023, at the age of 81. He passed away peacefully with his wife, Vita, at his side.
The family plans to host a Celebration of Life in late January 2024. According to his wishes, his family will have a private ceremony to spread his ashes in Italy. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Peter's name to the Jewish National Fund.
Peter was born in New York City, New York on July 20, 1942, to father William Willens and mother Rosalind Willens. He attended high school in Yonkers, NY, then attended Brown University, and then State University of New York for Medical School. He completed a rotating surgical internship at the USC Medical Center - Los Angeles County Hospital in 1968-69. Peter had partially completed a surgical residency at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, when it was cut short after suffering a severe brachial plexus injury to his right shoulder while skiing in Europe. His right arm was initially completely paralyzed, but he was able to regain about 60-70% function and strength of the arm after one year. However due to this injury, he had to give up his aspirations to become a surgeon and switched to Diagnostic Radiology, completing a three year residency at Montefiore Medical Center. Peter replaced some of his desire to be a surgeon by becoming a talented expert in the burgeoning field of Interventional Radiology. He practiced medicine in Southern California for nearly 50 years.
He met his wife, Vita Willens in Long Beach, California. Peter and Vita spent their years raising their three children, traveling the world, and enjoying their grandchildren in retirement. Those who loved Peter know that he enjoyed being active in sports, socializing with his friends, and voraciously reading.
Many of Peter's friends and family would describe him as one that could always opine on politics, physics, music, literature and any number of his other intellectual curiosities. He always stayed involved with medicine and helped countless friends with advice or connections to premier medical care. His selfless love for people was evident in everything he did, and he never met a stranger with whom he could not connect.
He was preceded in death by his parents Dr. William Willens and Rosalind Willens of New York City, NY, and his brother, Arnold Willens of New York City, NY.
Peter is survived by his loving wife, Vita Willens of Indian Wells, CA; son Eric Willens, Carpinteria, CA; Lauren Murphy (Joshua Skurla), London, UK; Ryan Murphy (Rachel), Haymarket, VA; grandchildren Stetson Skurla, London, UK; Rowan, Callum, Darcy, and Sullivan Murphy, Haymarket, VA; as well as cousins, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and many friends.