Dr. Jeffrey S. Peake
June 4, 1947 – September 5, 2024
Dr. Jeffrey Peake, 77, of Omaha passed away on Thursday September 5, 2024.
Jeff was born in Neptune, NJ, to Thomas and Elizabeth “Betsy” Peake and grew up in Metuchen and Edison Township, NJ.
He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University and a PhD from Louisiana State University, both in Geography.
Jeff spent his entire career as a professor at University of Nebraska – Omaha in the Geography/Geology Dept., beginning in 1973, until his semi-retirement in 2014, and full retirement in 2018. He was a respected Department Chairman, a beloved professor to countless students, and a sought-after thesis advisor to many pursuing graduate degrees.
Jeff met his wife, Elizabeth “Betty” Best, also a New Jerseyite, in the Geography Department at Louisiana State University, where they were both pursuing graduate degrees. They were married on Jeff’s birthday, June 4, 1970.
Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Elizabeth; younger brother, Bob. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Elizabeth “Betty”; daughter and son-in-law, Beth and John Phillips of Chandler, AZ; son, Robert of Omaha; younger brother, William of Pacific Grove, CA; nephews; other relatives, friends, coworkers and students.
MEMORIAL SERVICE: 2:00PM, Saturday, September 28th at the West Center Chapel. VISITATION with Jeff’s family following service until 4:00PM.
To view a live broadcast of the Funeral Service, please go to www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “Live Cast” button on the home page.
9 Comments
Jeff was a good man. He took me under wing as a Teaching Assistant in August of 1977, and encouraged me to become UNO Staff Cartographer for the Geography-Geology Department in 1979. From there, I went to a short stint with Défense Mapping in St. Louis, where we kept in touch, and when I was done with that, he encouraged me to come back and got me involved as Adjunct with UNO Dept. of Geography-Geology since 1991. My professor became a good friend, encouraging every step in my professional and personal life, and I am in debt to him for any success I may have had. Jeff will be navigating the heavens and charting a course for those of us left behind. Goodbye old friend, save a spot for me next to Gerhardus Mercator. Peace.
A little digging in the UNO Archives and I came up with this: Awesome!
https://revelation.unomaha.edu/_video/UNO0021_237d.html
To the Peake Family:
Please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of your husband and father.
I am eternally grateful for Dr. Peake. He was the heart of the Geography Dept. and loved by everyone there. He took in students ‘off the street’ to help enter the study program at UNO. One day, I walked in unannounced to ask about the MA program and he had me enrolled within an hour, setting a new course for my next career. Words alone do not reflect how giving of his time he was, spending part of his Saturdays over an entire summer helping me rewrite my thesis, an attempt to improve my writing skills. I am one of hundreds of students that Dr. Peake helped to chart and navigate our educational and career goals. Dr. Peake was a true professional, thoughtful of others, who inspired us to be and give our best. My deepest sympathies to Jeff’s family and friends alike.
I had Dr. Peake for both Meteorology and Climatology, they were both interesting due to Dr. Peakes teaching style. I will miss Dr;Peake, as he was not only my instructor , but later became a dear friend.
Great one,
You were a wonderful professor and an even better person. You and the other two Three Amigos helped me through some difficult moments and I was grateful for all you did for me at UNO, I’m proud to have had you as a thesis advisor and I always enjoyed being your TA, even if that did result in me having to attempt to clean your office more than once (all failures), trying to cope with the emotional shock of seeing you without a beard, as well as you launching a large loess clump into my private parts (accidently of course) on a field trip to Hummel Park.
The pride of Metuchen, you will never be forgotten, much love to Betty and your family.
Jeff was a good man and teacher. He will be missed. RIP
Ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation.
― Kahlil Gibran
Wishing Betty and the Peake family happy, peaceful and proud hearts as you remember Jeff.
Ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation.
― Kahlil Gibran
Wishing Betty and the Peake family peaceful and proud hearts as they remember Jeff.
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