Lasting Memories

Commander Michael Lawrence Peck
Feb. 2, 1946-June 11, 2025
Palo Alto, California

Commander Michael L. Peck, U.S. Navy (Ret.), after a brave battle with cancer, passed away peacefully at home in Palo Alto, CA, on June 11, 2025, with his wife and daughter at his side.

Born February 2, 1946, in Binghamton, NY, to his parents Herbert and Helen Peck, Mike attended local schools and graduated from Blue Ridge High School in 1963. He graduated from Penn State University with a bachelor of arts degree in 1967 and upon commissioning as an ensign, entered the Navy’s flight-training program in Pensacola, FL. While in Pensacola, he met and married Sara Ann “Sam” Morris in 1970.

Mike had a distinctive 28-year career as a naval aviator, with tours in California, Guam, and Hawaii. He served in various duty assignments ashore and at sea to include: a training squadron flight instructor; maritime air patrol squadron operational deployments/detachments worldwide; shipboard assignments; Director of Personnel, Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, HI; Director of Operations, Commander Patrol Wings Pacific Fleet Naval Air Station Moffett Field, CA; Director of Naval Air Maintenance Training Group, Moffett Field, CA. Mike also earned his master of arts degree in human resources management from Pepperdine University in 1976.

His awards included the Meritorious Service Medal (3 awards), Navy Commendation Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation (4 awards), National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (4 awards), Humanitarian Service Medal; and other service and unit awards.

Mike retired from the Navy as a commander in 1994 in Palo Alto, CA. Immediately after retirement, Mike served in various project management roles in the San Francisco Bay area, as well as defense contractor positions. He was a proud Rotarian who championed youth programs and scholarship opportunities.

He enjoyed playing golf and watching sports of all kinds, but he particularly loved watching his grandchildren play in their various sports. An avid outdoorsman since youth, Mike’s journeys to Canada and annual fishing trips highlighted his “to do” list. He and Sam enjoyed traveling, especially in Europe, Asia, Africa and the South Pacific. They also enjoyed spending time throughout the year in the Palm Desert area with family and friends, from near and far.

Mike was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Sara “Sam” Peck; daughter, Michelle Curyea, granddaughter Natasha Curyea, and grandson Cameron Curyea.

A celebration of life and memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.