MD Gordon W. Peek

Gordon passed away unexpectedly and peacefully while visiting with his grandson at his home in Baton Rouge on Friday evening, Dec. 14, 2007. He was admired and loved by his family and many devoted friends and patients. He was born in Oxford, near Shreveport, on Oct. 5, 1916, to Samuel Foster Peek and Lois Bice Peek. He grew up on his grandparents' farm and attended high school in nearby Pelican, where he participated on the football and basketball teams. He graduated in 1933 and worked on the farm until 1935 when he was able to borrow money to attend LSU. He worked his way through college and served as commanding officer of the health battalion in the ROTC field artillery and was honored as a member of the Scabbard and Blade Society. He graduated LSU in 1939 as a reserve second lieutenant and enrolled in LSU Medical School in New Orleans. He was president of the senior class and graduated in 1943. In January 1944, Gordon was inducted into the U.S. Army as a first lieutenant and assigned to Gardner Hospital in Chicago for six months after which he was transferred to the 124th General Hospital in southern England. Later in 1944, he was assigned to the 76th Infantry Division as battalion surgeon, promoted to captain, and sent across the English Channel into the Battle of the Bulge. After meeting up with the Russians in Dresden, Germany, he served as prisoner exchange officer in the exchange of German and Russian prisoners. He was transferred back to England as commanding officer of the 30th Infantry Division's medical company to prepare for the invasion of Japan. After the dropping of the atomic bomb ended the war with Japan, he was moved back to the United States, promoted to major and transferred to the U.S. Army hospital at Fort Jackson, S.C., where he served as admitting officer. He was later assigned to a transport ship operating between New Orleans and Central America. He was discharged in 1946 at Camp Kilmer, N.J. He received the Bronze Star and three battle decorations. Gordon returned to New Orleans Charity Hospital for an additional four years of surgery training. During this time, he also served as interim director of Lafayette Charity Hospital. In February 1946, he married Louise Ford, who remained in Baton Rouge working for Standard Oil Co. while he completed his surgery training in New Orleans. In 1951, he entered into the practice of general surgery in Baton Rouge until his retirement in 1987 at age 71. He was active in the medical community and in many civic activities. He served on the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce, Public Affairs Research Council, the Council for a Better Louisiana, LAMPAC and the Salvation Army. He had served as chief of staff at Baton Rouge General Medical Center and as chief of surgery at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, Baton Rouge General and Woman's Hospital. He also had a teaching assignment in surgery at LSU Earl K. Long Medical Center and served as consultant physician for the LSU Infirmary. He was president of the East Baton Rouge Parish Medical Society, the Surgical Association of Louisiana and the Baton Rouge Surgical Association. He was also a delegate for many years representing Louisiana in the American Medical Association. In 1985, he was inducted into the Hall of Honor at the LSU Ole War Skule. He had been an active member of the Downtown Kiwanis Club since 1951 and attended First Presbyterian Church for more than 50 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Lois Peek; a sister, Dorothy Mayes; his wife, Louise, who died in December 2001; and a son-in-law, Tommy Bond. He is survived by three daughters, Dr. Jane Peek Bond, Susan Peek Kinchen and Diane Peek Gieger; two sons-in-law, Brent Kinchen and Ernie Gieger; and seven grandchildren, Rick Bond, Leslie Gieger, Michael Gieger, Lauren Bond, Claire Kinchen, Steven Gieger and Craig Kinchen. He loved hunting and fishing, especially with the "Good Luck Fishing Club." Visitation will be at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St., on Tuesday, Dec. 18, from 11 a.m. until religious service at 1 p.m., conducted by the Rev. Kevin McKee. Interment in Greenoaks Memorial Park. Honorary pallbearers are Auttis Mullins and his friends from Downtown Kiwanis Club who had been his lifeline since the death of his wife. In lieu of flowers, he would request that donations be made to Downtown Kiwanis Club, the Salvation Army, First Presbyterian Church or a charity of your choice.