Dr. Theodore "Ted" M. Peck

Dr. Theodore “Ted” M. Peck, age 79, passed away peacefully at home on August 5, 2026, surrounded by family and music. Over the course of his life he helped bring thousands of babies safely into the world, leaving a legacy through generations of families across the region.

Born in Brooklyn, NY on April 4, 1947 to Vivian and Philip Peck, Ted was a lifelong Dodgers fan. He grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, and graduated from Arizona State University before earning his M.D. from the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He completed his perinatology fellowship at the University of Nebraska, where he learned about the new technology of obstetrical ultrasound. He met his first wife and lifelong friend Rana Limbo in Denver, with whom he had a son, Christopher. Ted then served two years as a Captain in the Air Force, delivering babies at the Air Force base in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

When offered the opportunity to become Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center's first high-risk obstetrician, Ted moved his young family to La Crosse in 1979, settling into the home where he would live for the next 47 years. He married Vicki (Benusa) in 1988, with whom he had two daughters, Katherine and Emily. Together they blended their family and filled the home with music, games, and many cherished memories.

Dr. Peck dedicated his professional career to caring for women and babies as a perinatologist at Gundersen Lutheran, where he worked for 37 years. He was an early pioneer in the use of obstetrical ultrasound, introducing advanced prenatal imaging and high-risk pregnancy care to families in western Wisconsin. He deeply valued his colleagues who worked alongside him to provide exceptional care to thousands of families. While at Gundersen, he published two books, Empowered Pregnancy: The Ten Most Important Things to Know in Pregnancy (co-authored with his wife, Vicki), and The Pregnant Woman’s Pill Book: A Guide to the Most Frequently Used Over-The-Counter Medications. He retired in 2016 but continued to provide counsel on complex pregnancies for years afterward.

One of Ted’s greatest joys in life was music. He discovered his singing voice as an adult while studying with Wilma Sheffner. He joined her singing group, the Best of Broadway, who became his closest friends. He sang with the Best of Broadway for 25 years, regaling audiences with his original parodies. He also acted in local community theater for many years, with favorite roles including Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof and Captain von Trapp in The Sound of Music. He was proud that each of his children joined him in a theater production.

Ted possessed a keen mind, which he put to use as an avid reader, a crossword enthusiast, and a skilled Poker and Duplicate Bridge player. He played bridge weekly through the end of his life, achieving the rank of Ruby Life Master. Although he was an amateur player, he would often compete with and defeat professional players at national competitions.

Those who knew Ted remember him not only as a gifted physician and talented performer but also as an extraordinary mentor and gentle encourager. He lived by a simple philosophy which he shared with everyone he loved: “Be kind. Do good deeds. Learn something new every day. Be strong in the truth, for the truth will set you free.”

Ted is survived by his wife, Vicki of La Crosse; children, Christopher of La Crosse, Katherine (John Kawa) of New York, NY, and Emily of Los Angeles, CA; grandchildren, André and Stephen Peck and Madeline Kawa; sister, Rosalyn Meadow and brother, Murray (Rheta) Peck; and many extended family members and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and a beloved sister, Barbara.

A family celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the STAR Center La Crosse or the The Hunger Task Force of La Crosse.