Remembering Sheldon Peck

In the memory of Sheldon Peck

Dear Members of the Angle East,
It is with the heaviest of hearts that I convey the news of the passing of our beloved colleague and friend Sheldon Peck this past weekend, caused by a congestive heart failure. We knew his health was failing, but nothing had prepared us for the suddenness of this tremendous event.
We will always remember Sheldon’s wit, tolerance for diversity and love for variety in our Angle East membership. Sheldon was the ultimate Mentor and generous Patron of the international orthodontic community, the splendid backbone of our legacy as Anglers.
I always wondered if Sheldon was maintaining his aplomb by wearing earplugs, when surrounded by a bunch of energetic young colleagues in loud philosophical discussions regarding the future of orthodontics, over lunches he regularly hosted at the Saint Botolph Club in Boston.
Sheldon’s seraphic smile had a Mona Lisa quality to it, through which one could get just a small glimpse of the towering intellect hiding in the background.
Sheldon knew how to live life to the fullest, professionally and personally. He was a philanthropist and an avid art collector, specializing in drawings by Rembrandt,  17th-century Flemish and Dutch artists, and rare books.
In short, Sheldon Peck had reached the full and well deserved status of “forever young”.
Sheldon Peck was born in New York City in 1941. He had earned his B.S. Degree and D.D.S. Degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and there, as a symptom of a future brilliant career as rarities collector, he became a member of any existing Honor Society (Phi Eta Sigma, Alpha Epsilon Delta, Phi Beta Kappa, Omicron Kappa Upsilon).  He  went on to complete his Postgraduate orthodontic training at Boston University Medical Center under Margolis, and then received the 1967 Tweed Foundation Research Award.
For many years Sheldon was a dedicated member of the teaching staff both at B.U. and at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. At Harvard,  he held the title of Clinical Professors of Developmental Biology. Sheldon also  maintained a successful private practice in Newton, MA, alongside his beloved late wife and most esteemed Angler, Leena Peck. Together, Sheldon and Leena were a formidable team.
Sheldon served in innumerable university and professional societies committees, published innumerable articles and book chapters, not only on orthodontic topics but also on art, contributed to research as PI or Co-PI in projects on craniofacial form, dental anomalies, skeletal dysmorphology, tooth shape variations, facial aging.  A truly gifted and entertaining speaker, he lectured extensively, nationally and internationally, and delivered the Strang Memorial Lecture at the NESO in 1985, the E.H. Angle Memorial Lecture at the Biennial Meeting in Quebec in 2007, the E. H. Angle Lecture at the AAO meeting in 2009, and the Keynote Lecture at the 85th Congress of the European Society in Helsinki in 2009. Sheldon served on several editorial boards: AJODO, The Angle Orthodontist, Seminars in Orthodontics, JDR, JCO, JADA, and The Journal of the History of Dentistry. He was a mentor for several students’ theses, and collaborated with international researchers on an extraordinary variety of topics.
Sheldon dedicated his life to orthodontics and especially to the Angle East and the EHASO, which he considered “his second home”. He served as our Angle East President in 1982-1983, as EHASO Director in 1988-1990, and was EHASO Secretary for 14 years, then Secretary Emeritus, and then Historian , and EHASO Vice-President In 1993.  The EHASO awarded him the Research Prize for Excellence in published orthodontic research, and in 2007 he received the Angle East Harvey Peck Memorial Awards for Excellence in Orthodontics, then in 2009 the Distinguished Service Award.
Sheldon was also very proud of having been the recipient of the 2011 Hayden-Harris Award by the American Academy of the History of Dentistry. He also received the ABO Ketcham Memorial Award in 2017.
A colleague of Shel’s stature deserves to be honored by farewells written by the best and brightest of our Society, members who have walked the Angle Society path with him.
I am sure many of you will contribute a few words following this initial message, that I wanted to send as soon as possible to reach the membership before Thursday.
The Peck family will hold a private burial this Thursday at the Beit Olam Cemetery in Wayland, MA. Attendance to the ceremony will be unfortunately limited by Covid-19 restrictions.

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TESTIMONY

“All of the members of the Angle East family have lost one of our great leaders.  Sheldon Peck has been such a incredible inspiration to any who met him. All of us in Angle East are so lucky to have shared all of the moments that we have had with Sheldon as both our mentor and our friend.

I had the good fortune to work with Sheldon when he and I were both on the EHASO Board leading up to the Biennial meeting that Angle East hosted in Quebec City in 2007.  It was an true education to watch Sheldon during those Board meetings. He bring up so many thoughtful ideas to the Board of Directors.  Most of his ideas were readily accepted by the Board and each idea made our Angle Society stronger and more relevant. Some examples that both he and Bob Isaacson supported were:
1. Renaming the components from the Eastern Component to Angle East, Angle Southwest, etc.
2. Making the Angle Orthodontist an open source professional journal so that articles could be downloaded without cost
3. Leading the fund raising for the Angle Heritage Campaign by making a significant donation to support the digitization
of all issues of the Angle Orthodontist
4. Playing a key role in the development of the EHASO video and guiding its production with President Gary Baughman
5. Taking charge of the collection and maintenance a large volume of historical documents related to the EHASO (that
he has since passed on to our current president, Dr. Peter Greco)

Warren Bennis, who is known as the ’father of leadership’, once made the following statement.  In reading it I felt like he was describing our dear friend Sheldon:

“No leader sets out to be a leader. People set out to live their lives, expressing themselves fully. When that expression is of value, they become leaders. So the point is not to become a leader. The point is to become yourself, to use yourself completely – all your skills, gifts and energies – in order to make your vision manifest. You must withhold nothing. You must, in sum, become the person you started out to be, and to enjoy the process of becoming.”

All of us who knew Sheldon could tell that he truly enjoyed the “process of becoming” the person he was and how fortunate we all are to have had his generous spirit be part of our lives through Angle East.

Warmest wishes,

David Musich
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Paul Batistini

I will so miss Sheldon’s smile and his words of encouragement.  He would always give me positive reinforcement. It has been an honor to have met and known him. Thank you Sheldon for making us all feel  welcome!!

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Mohamed Ibrahim Maoud

To my teacher Dr. Peck,

I wish I had more time with you to tell you what an important role you played in my education and the education of generations of Harvard graduates.  You constantly challenged the residents and encouraged questioning authority no matter who it was.  You believed in your students and inspired them to believe in themselves. I remember you telling us to focus on developing new concepts and not wasting time on new appliance designs. What you taught us was not limited to the clinic and class room as you also modeled generosity, service, and living a full and balanced life.

I know your spirit will live on through your valuable contributions to knowledge and through all the lucky people you touched.

Moe

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Daniel Tanguay

As I learned the devastating news today, I realized how much of a void his passing  generates and will create for a long time.
No word that I may use could sustain the test of his legacy. I can only say that I consider myself fortunate to have known him.
Thank you for your inspiration.
So long Sheldon, say Hi to Leena for me.

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WIlliam Cole

Sheldon was the epitome of a Renaissance man.  He was an inspiration to anyone who had the privilege of his acquaintance.  For me personally, the journey to membership in Angle East was paved by his encouragement and his visceral dedication to all that the Angle Society stands for.  For this I will be ever thankful that I knew this wonderful man.

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Ann Todd

I can’t express my grief at learning this. Sheldon & Leena joined Harvard as teachers when I began my 1st year as a resident. They were instrumental in my education. More importantly, living near Boston, Sheldon would make the time to meet me anytime, anywhere just to ‘hang out & talk’ over a meal.
Sheldon was a supreme human being. I miss him already.

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Ute Moser Schneider

For Angle East losing Sheldon is losing the head of our family. His grandeur, forward thinking, substantiated knowledge in many fields of expertise, his sure instinct, wit, eloquence, unbeatable charm and esprit have qualified him as the epitome of a benevolent leader and a true global player who has made the world a better place.
Our hearts and minds are full of grief and we will all miss Shel so very much for a long time to come. He leaves a vast, unfillable hole, but the deep impression he has made on every single one of us will remain forever and continue to inspire us.
Ute
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When I come to think of Sheldon, the following words are coming to my mind : friendship, generosity, wit, sense of humor, hospitality, positive thinking, empowerment, curiosity, benevolence, encouragement, brotherhood, exemplary character, citizen of the world, leadership, historical perspective, goodwill, eloquence, inspiration.

What a terrible loss for our Society and every single one of us.

Sheldon, you’ll be dearly missed !

Yves and Nadine Bolender

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I learned of Sheldon’s passing just yesterday and it was devastating news. I knew that he had been having some medical issues, but did not realize how very ill he was. I cannot express the sense of loss of this great person better than anyone else who has written a note, but I can mention my personal relationship with him.

As we all know, Shel truly was a renaissance man with a wide variety of knowledge and interests . Mostly, as we all know, along with his vast knowledge of the arts in a general sense, he was a recognized expert in the analysis of art works using radiographic techniques. He and I connected years ago, outside of the world of orthodontics, because of my own interest in photography. We shared many wonderful moments at meetings discussing topics related to photography and such and he took an real interest in my work at the time. He even encouraged me to publish a folio of my work and offered to right a forward for it. While that never happened, we continued talking about art over many years whenever we saw each other. When he laughed it was infectious and I can still hear it to this day. If I told him a silly joke, for example, he would break into that all too familiar cackle of his that one could hear across a crowded room. The attached photograph illustrates one such moment in time.

Anya invited me to the service being held tomorrow at the gravesite just west of where I live and I am honored to have been asked and will attend. In thinking about memorializing Sheldon, I was wondering if the group might consider adding Shelly’s name to his brother Harvey’s name on the Peck award. It would be a fitting tribute and a way to keep them both in our hearts and minds. Just a thought!

Wishing you all good health and safety in these trying times.
Barry Briss

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These are very sad news. I would like to express my deepest condolences to Sheldon Peck’s loved ones and friends, many of whom are part of this wonderful group.
I only knew Sheldon through the Angle Society, for the few years that I have been attending our meetings. I was introduced to him at my first meeting and still remember how honoured I felt to have met a person, whose name I had come across in my readings and of whom I had heard so much about from my teachers. He took the time to talk to me and was also the first to tell me that “we all talk on a first name basis in the Angle Society”.
As I am reading all the emails from those of you who knew him well and were lucky enough to have been his friends I am having this thought that I would like to share with you.
The Angle Society and the world of Orthodontics has many successful and good clinicians, many wonderful researchers and many talented teachers. Sheldon Peck was all of the above. But he also had something which made him stand out and was obvious to me the very first time I met him. He just loved people. And they loved him back!
He loved hearing about their stories, he loved teaching them what he knew, he loved to inspire them and stimulate their thoughts, he loved to make them laugh.
Although I did not know Sheldon Peck so well as a person, I will remember him as a one of the great orthodontists I have met but most importantly I will remember him for being a loving person, who put his positive mark in the lives of many others.

May he rest in peace.

Best wishes, and I hope we can all meet again soon.
Georgios Kanavakis

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When  I first met Sheldon only a few years ago, as a very junior young Angler,  I was trembling, and I was speechless. An orthodontic legend wanted to shake my hand and welcome me to the Angle family.
It took two seconds and a smile to understand how great Sheldon was. A true gentleman and a very humble giant.

May he rest in peace.

Iacopo Coffi

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Sheldon and Leena were wonderful persons. They introduced and welcomed me in the Angle East showing me the beauties and friendship of this family.
I will never thank them enough for this gift!
They were excellent clinicians, excellent researchers and, most of all, generous and beloved couple. They left us a great legacy that we must keep in our heart.

We will miss them.

Rest in Peace.

Ambra Michelotti

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To my good friend Shel:
The world was a much better place with you in it,
simply because you made everyone you touched…better.
RIP
Tom Fisher

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He was great mentor for me. If I hadn’t met Sheldon, I wouldn’t be the Angle member.
I don’t have words to express my sorrow. In deepest sympathy.

Takashi Yamashiro

While the sadness of Angle East members is evident, I am so happy that all of the members’ remembrances of Sheldon are being read by his daughter, Anya, and will be read by his son, Mark.  Each of us has our own wonderful memories of a true giant in our profession and a giving heart as our friends.
I would like to share two pictures and a poem (from my sister, Beth Barrett) with our Angle East group and with you Anya & Mark.
This picture captures the essence of Sheldon and his dear friend Slick who we also lost in the past few years.

David Musich
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On hearing the sad news of Sheldon’s passing, I could only reflect that a light had gone from our world. Sheldon’s absence will be felt deeply by all of us who had the distinct honor to know him and be enlightened by him.
Sincerest and heartfelt condolences to the Peck family and to the members of our Angle East “family”.
Elisabeth Barret
Anya and Mark:
The members of Angle East have been inspired by your mom and your dad and their “passage”
challenges us to embrace their inspiration: to give more, to care more, to share more, to “raise the bar” and to become our best selves.
Passages

Our lives are marked passages
From where we’ve been to where we are;
From the first breath of our lives
Until we touch our final star.

And it matters little, these passages
Be they narrow or be they wide,
But only how we spend our time there
And the love and friendships that we provide

And, if sometimes our passages,
Cross, and then divert away,
We’ll mark the crossings in our hearts
And let the love and friendships stay.

ELISABETH BARRET

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With Sheldon’s unexpected passing I cannot help but remember the departed members we were fortunate to be their fellow Anglers, Coenraad Moorrees, Irv Buchin, Everett Shapiro, Tony Gianelly, Ray George, Jack Dale, Vincent DeAngelis, Bob Binder, and so many other stars that filled our skies. We reminisce on the good times, the serious and light debates and interactions, the breakfasts and banquets… all memories cherished included the happiness but also the occasional frustrations. The fact remains that they have gone, and  with each one of them who left a part of us that came to life with and sometimes because of them, also died.

Sheldon’s legacy has been recounted singularly and collectively, and fortunately recognized when he was alive, but it is fitting to emphasize at least one that no other member could undertake with the same knowledge and vigor: the historian who searched  and shared with us and the world (happily, eloquently and enthusiastically) the Angle history, if only through the documentation assembled in the 4 Edward Hartley Angle volumes. That he was also an art historian and connaisseur who shared with a flame in both heart and eye his unique interests outside of orthodontics completed the man’s journey.

In another perspective, we cannot dissociate Peck from Peck and Peck, once Harvey, once Leena, both of whom left and kept in Sheldon’s inner sanctum deep sadness that never left him, but also love and pride. It would be great to know that they met again, and Sheldon’s smile is fuller at the reunion.

To Anya and Mark (and “granma” Seija), there are simply no words to express at the loss of your Mom and Dad. Their love to you lives eternal.

May they rest in eternal peace.

Joe Gafari
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Sheldon was the heart and soul of Angle East and indeed all of the Angle Society of Orthodontists. I feel honored to say that he was my sponsor.  He brightened the room when he entered and made everyone present feel special . A visionary, he is never to be forgotten.I miss him already.

Donal Taylor
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I have been a member of the Angle East for less than 10 years.  Dr Peck was always the most dominant figure and certainly the most respected member of our great community. He was a giant  among us and I always enjoyed  listening to him. Someone you just wish to emulate and an amazing role model.
His untimely passing will leave a giant void in our society but his legacy will remain forever. As many members have so rightly said, It has been an  honor and a privilege to have been sharing some great times with him .
On a more personal note, Dr Peck was the one who made me understand and appreciate what our society was all about and  he taught me some great lessons about excellence and perseverance. Something I will cherish forever.
Mes plus sincères condoléances à toute la famille.

Jean Marc Retrouvey
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Sheldon was so super special, as we all experienced first hand.  He truly represented all that is good in our society but more importantly what is better across living life.  All his qualities were unmatched.

We are together in this solemn harmony of loss and it has helped reading the wonderful & insightful shared written messages.

– I support Barry’s proposal to add Shelly’s name to the Peck Award.

Philip S Junghans

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As I said yesterday to those that informed me of Sheldon’s passing, we will carry this hole in our hearts and in our component forever.
Shel was the epitome of all that is the Angle Society.

Peter Greco

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I was so sorry to hear  the sad news of Dr. Shelden Peck’s passing.
We lost a great mentor in orthodontics. He always invited me to the dinner whenever I attended AE meeting. I will miss the dinners and his sense of humor.
I respectfully express my condolences.

Hee-Moon KYUNG,

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Definitely, we will be missing Dr. Sheldon Peck…..

It is true, the new generations of orthodontists will not have the chance to learn from him in person,  but they will know him every time they face in their practice some dental anomalies, tooth shape abnormalities, or teeth transposition, and many other clinical situations… This is the “Peck Signature” in the orthodontic education.

It is sad, the future Anglers in our eastern society, will not be exposed to the history of Orthodontics from Norman William Kingsley, to Edward H. Angle and the Golden Age of Orthodontics by this talented historian, but they will learn it from his legacy… This is the “Peck Signature” in the orthodontic history.

It will be weird, not seeing him anymore in the middle of the third row at the room where we hold our Angle East meetings, standing up after presentations, with the microphone in his hand, looking all over around him with a mile on his face and giving his valuable comments, but his laugh and voice will always be remembered… This is the “Peck Signature” between his friends.

Sheldon Peck left us, but the “Peck Signature” will persevere…

May his Soul Rest In Peace,

Ramzi Haddad
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Holding my teacher equal to my parents,
With love and respect Sheldon Peck.(Hippocratic Oath) Ηγησεσθαι μεν τον διδάξαντα με την τέχνηv ταυτην ίσα γενετησιν εμοις. Με πολύ αγάπη και σεβασμός για τον Σελτον Πεκ

May your memory be eternal,
John and Dora Voudouris
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We read and record all that is being expressed about Sheldon. Sooo much!!!
But words truly cannot express and describe Sheldon Peck.
Classic and giving in every sense.
Artist, teacher, healer, leader, speaker, unusual and talented in every sense.
ALL OF THE ABOVE!!!!!’n
Here’s to you SHELDON!!!!!
All the best to your family!!! OH MY!!!!
MARCY AND  GAIL KORN
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Dr. Sheldon and Leena Peck are great, friendly and have good memory. I appreciate his friendship and guidance. He sets a great example and path for many people to follow. I met both of them in Chicago many years ago and they still remembered me when Dr. Evans introduced me to the Angle society several years later. I am so impressed with his personality, dedication and perseverance to keep the legacy of Dr. Edward Angle. I will greatly miss him.

Phimon Atsawasuwan

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Sheldon Peck, was a gentleman, an outstanding human being, a friend, a mentor and my sponsor at the Angle East, a unique educator, a brilliant researcher, a great professional; what a terrible loss for all of us!

Mauro Cozzani

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Ground Control to Major Shel.

As you sling-shot out of earth’s orbit and fly at the speed of light to the next place, I hope that you take comfort in the knowledge that you have had an indelible effect on those around you. You made a significant dent in the Universe with class and grace.
RIP, Professor Shel.
With gratitude,
Mark Bronsky

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I have know Sheldon since the late 1980s teaching in the Orthodontic Department at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. I am grateful to have know him, to have learned from him and to have been inspired by him.
He was a friend to us all and will be dearly missed.
David De Franco

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Sheldon was one of the best mentors I ever had.
A giant, leader, teacher, researcher, writer, clinician, historian, artist, family man, good friend and a mensch. There is a lot to be learned from a man who excelled in everything he did and I did my best to learn as much as I could.
I met Sheldon and Leena in 2000, when I came to Harvard. I was privileged to conduct joint literature review seminars with Sheldon on topics such as Critical Reading, History of Orthodontics and Dental Anomalies. I learned together with the residents. Teaching with Sheldon was a great learning experience and an immensely enjoyable one both for me and for the residents. Sheldon and I had long discussions regarding my research interests, and when he heard about my passion for dental anomalies and my work on the distal angulation of the unerupted mandibular second premolar, he suggested to study his unique sample of unilateral agenesis of the MnP2. This was the beginning of several joint research projects, in which I was invited to come to the Pecks’ home and office in Newton, to go over records and write together. Sheldon was a gifted wordsmith. One of a kind. Throughout my 7 years at HSDM, under the leadership of Leslie Will, I had the great privilege of learning from him – in his “Great Debates”, in the annual “Patient Review” sessions when we examined residents together, while interviewing applicants together, and on every Friday – his teaching day at HSDM. The social events that Leslie organized were a wonderful place to meet each other’s families, and my children became friends with Anya and Mark. Sheldon’s 60th Birthday party at the Saint Botolph Club in Boston was an unforgettable celebration that I cherish. A tour of the Peck’s art collection at the Museum of fine Arts, guided by Sheldon himself, was another very special event.
The Angle East meetings were always incredible events, educationally and socially, led by Sheldon’s spirit.
Since my return to Israel in 2007, we continued to collaborate, communicate via emails and meet during my visits to Boston and at the annual Angle meetings (I attach a photo from Milano, with Anya). In our last communication (December 2020) he wrote: “Take care my dear. Life will eventually get back to “normal” whatever that will be! May the New Year bring happiness in great quantities!”
Sheldon will always be with me, teaching students, planning research studies, writing manuscripts, treating patients and trying to make the world a better place.

Miri Shalish

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I can only imagine that the enormous empty space Dr. Sheldon Peck’s passing is leaving will be filled with all his wonderful memories, stories, his tremendous love and the happiness and gratitude we feel when we think about him.

Antonini Secchi

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How can we continue our Angle  meetings? We have to maintain friendly atmosphere d the encouragement he brought along.
I met Sheldon when I was lecturing  in Boston in 1975 the same year I met Leena who was student in Minnesota.  Leena went back to Findland, but came to see a patient who had moved to Boston.  She met Sheldon fell in love and they founded a wonderful family and working companionship.
But how did I get to know Sheldon  more closely? The year when the volcano on Iceland exploded I was in Italy lecturing and so was Sheldon. Most airports were closed and Sheldon could only fly out of Franfurt in Germany . He offered me a lift in a taxi 25 hours to Frankfurt. When you spend 25 hours together you talk about things you would not chat with any body about . We talked about, life, values, politics and art  and I met a  serious dedicated husbond, father colleague and art-lover. I think my condolences should go Sheldon and Leenas  children  but also to us Anglers  who will miss him . I am sure his spirit will still be with us .
Goodby dear friend
Birte Melsen

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Sheldon has touched us all in remarkable ways. I have read the tributes submitted by all with a profound amazement at how each of us has a special Sheldon (and Leena) story of how they made our annual visits to Angle such a rewarding experience. I am no different. My best memories of many meetings was when I was lucky enough to join Sheldon and Leena at dinner with a few fellow AngleEast members on our first night (an ‘open’ night) of the meeting. Sheldon always had reservations at a fabulous restaurant for 8-12 people and it was at those dinners that I got to really see and appreciate Sheldon as a man passionate about so many things. His passion for life, art, orthodontics and teaching was there on display for all attending. It was infectious! You could not be with Sheldon and not come away from the dinner or meeting without feeling better. He has helped make us all better orthodontists and more importantly better people. Let his memory continue to inspire us to do better.

Hugh R Phillis

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Our profession lost a great leader.
I lost two mentors in a hurry.
Every Angle meeting, I look forward to “Professor Sheldon”’s comment.
He is like a walking dictionary, a guidance light to our profession.
We will miss you for a long time.

RIP Dr. Peck.
Your student,
Peter Ngan.

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To my teacher Dr. Peck,

I wish I had more time with you to tell you what an important role you played in my education and the education of generations of Harvard graduates.  You constantly challenged the residents and encouraged questioning authority no matter who it was.  You believed in your students and inspired them to believe in themselves. I remember you telling us to focus on developing new concepts and not wasting time on new appliance designs. What you taught us was not limited to the clinic and class room as you also modeled generosity, service, and living a full and balanced life.

I know your spirit will live on through your valuable contributions to knowledge and through all the lucky people you touched.

Moe
Mohamed Ibrahim Masoud
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