Robert Peter

Robert H. Peter, known to many as Jess, MD, of Hillsborough, North Carolina, passed away unexpectedly at home on March 7, 2026, with his wife of 64 years, Mary Ann Peter, by his side. Earlier that evening, they had shared a joyful night attending the Duke–Carolina men’s basketball game with their son Jon and daughter Jennifer. For a man whose life was so deeply connected to Duke, it was a fitting final memory.

Born on March 23, 1935, in Rockville Centre, New York, to Ella Mae Peter and Alexander Peter, DDS, Robert graduated from South Side High School in 1953. He attended Duke University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1957 while excelling as a quarter- and half-miler on the track team and serving as captain his senior year. He went on to graduate from Duke University School of Medicine in 1961, completed his residency at Duke University Hospital and Yale New Haven Hospital, and returned to Duke for a cardiology fellowship. From 1965 to 1967, he served in the United States Navy at Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Virginia, directing the Cardiopulmonary Laboratory and attaining the rank of Lieutenant Commander.

Robert spent his distinguished career at Duke, where he became a pioneer in interventional cardiology, developing less invasive methods to open blocked coronary arteries. He served as Associate Director of the Cardiology Laboratory from 1971 to 1987 and as Professor of Medicine from 1980 until his retirement in 2005. A dedicated teacher and mentor, he authored or co-authored 93 medical articles and book chapters and received numerous honors, including election to Alpha Omega Alpha, the Thomas Kinney Excellence in Teaching Award, the Eugene Stead Award, the Thomas M. Bashore Teaching Award, and the Medal of Merit from the Polish Cardiac Society. In recognition of his contributions, the Warren S. Newman Fellowship in Cardiology Endowment Fund was established in his honor, and he and Mary Ann created the Friends of Nursing Endowed Award for Excellence in Nursing Practice at Duke.

Beyond medicine, Robert found deep satisfaction in farming. In 1970, he and Mary Ann purchased Peter Cedars in Orange County, where he grew hay commercially, raised Angus cattle, and created a beloved retreat for family and friends. He was an active member of the Durham-Orange Cattlemen’s Association. He remained passionate about sports throughout his life, serving as a timing official at international track meets at Duke, coaching Little League baseball for his sons Jon and Alex, and later playing softball with them on church and medical school teams. A lifelong Duke fan, he supported Blue Devil athletics for decades alongside Mary Ann, in football, men’s and women’s basketball alike.

Above all, Robert cherished his family. He is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Ann Rohrhurst Peter; his brother, James Alexander Peter; his children, Jon Miles Peter (Donna White Peter), William Alexander Peter (Liz Kelly Peter), and Jennifer Lauren Peter Solomon (Mark J. Solomon); and five grandchildren: Josh Gibbons (fiancée Lucy Butler), Kellen Peter (Doug Burney), Zander Peter, Dylan Peter, and Kyler Peter.