Prof. Dr. Sümer Belbez Pek passed away in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on May 24, 2026. Born in Ankara, Türkiye, in 1933, Pek earned his MD and PhD degrees from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich before relocating to the United States in 1960. He spent much of his distinguished career at the University of Michigan Medical School, where he ultimately became Professor Emeritus. A physician-scientist and endocrinologist, Pek devoted his career to advancing the understanding and treatment of diabetes and endocrine disorders. His research on insulin secretion, pancreatic islet biology, and hormone regulation contributed significantly to the field and was published extensively in leading medical journals. His scientific achievements were recognized with numerous honors, including awards from TÜBİTAK and the Nokta Science Award. Beyond his research, he was a respected educator, mentor, and academic leader whose intellectual rigor, integrity, and dedication to medicine and science earned him the admiration of colleagues and students alike. He also remained deeply connected to the Turkish community, serving as a founding member of the Turkish American Cultural Association of Michigan and maintaining close ties with Türkiye throughout his life. Pek will be remembered for his kindness, humility, scholarship, and enduring contributions to medicine, science, and education. His legacy lives on through the many students, colleagues, patients, and loved ones whose lives he touched.
