Eugene Way "Gene" Peck Jr.

Hastings resident Dr. Eugene Way “Gene” Peck Jr., 85, passed away Friday, March 21, 2025, in Tucson, AZ.

A Celebration of Life will be held this summer in Hastings, NE. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Gene and Barb Peck Memorial Fund c/o Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home, 1225 N. Elm Avenue, Hastings, NE 68901. The service will be live-streamed on Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home’s website. To view the service, go to Gene’s obituary and click the play button shown towards the bottom of the page. 

Gene was born to Eugene and Lela (McCann) Peck in Auburn, NE on January 4, 1940. Gene grew up with his younger sister, Dorothy, in southeastern Nebraska surrounded by cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents, friends, and neighbors. He shared many stories from his youth which revealed a mischievous streak that continued into adulthood. He was active in Boy Scouts, obtaining the Eagle Scout Award, and enjoyed playing in the band and singing in the chorus. Gene graduated from Auburn High School and completed his undergraduate years at Nebraska Wesleyan University, where he was a Phi Beta Tau fraternity member. He obtained his medical degree from the University of Nebraska and subsequently completed his training in orthopedic surgery. He served as a General Medical Officer in the Air Force in Abilene, TX. Gene married Barbara J. Hall on August 4, 1963. They lived most of their adult life in Hastings, NE and also enjoyed many winters in Tucson, AZ.

During his long career as an orthopedic surgeon, Gene was often on call and willing to manage more than just broken bones. He supported high school athletics and volunteered in various roles at the First United Methodist Church. Gene and Barb loved to host friends and family at their home on Lake Hastings. Gene never tired of taking people on boat rides. He was known for teaching countless kids how to waterski and to survive a ride on the tube. Gene and Barb also enjoyed trips with friends, time in their mountain home, tailgating at Nebraska football games, and visiting and adventuring with family around the world.

Gene spent his retirement days gardening, bird watching, fishing, rock hounding, puzzles, and reading Westerns. He had a strong and persistent curiosity. Following Barb’s death in 2020, Gene continued his adventures with his loyal rescue dog, Molly.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Lela and Eugene Way Peck, Sr. and his wife of 57 years, Barb Peck.

Gene is survived by his children and spouses, Kristine & David Coblentz of Los Alamos, NM, Kimberly Peck & Shane Balderston of San Diego, CA, and Jeffrey & Bridget Peck of Scottsbluff, NE; grandchildren, Malakai Coblentz of Kempten, Germany, Amaya Coblentz (Western Washington University) of Bellingham, WA, Anya Balderston (University of Arizona) of Tucson, AZ, Kanen Balderston of San Diego, CA, and Addison & Andrew Jeffrey “AJ” Peck of Scottsbluff, NE; sister & spouse, Dorothy & Ken Carnes of Surprise, AZ; and sister-in-law, Jane Druecker of Hastings, NE. His canine companion, Molly, has been graciously adopted by dear friends Jim and Cheryl Kostal.