Sumer Belbez Pek, MD/PHD

Born on August 17, 1933, in Ankara, Türkiye, he earned his MD and PhD degrees from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany, before relocating to Michigan in 1960 to begin a distinguished career in medicine, research, and academic leadership.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Marilyn (Mickey) Katz-Pek of Ann Arbor; their children, Jeff (Katy) Pek of Dexter, Brant (Sandy) Cohn of Farmington Hills, Debbie (Eric) Keipper of Rochester Hills, and Paul (Ronda) Pek of North Muskegon; his grandchildren, Jenna, Andrew, Curtis, Christyn, Alexis, Sydney, Kyle, and Kaden; and many beloved cousins and extended family members throughout the world.

For many years, he served on the faculty of the University of Michigan Medical School, ultimately becoming Professor Emeritus. He devoted his career to advancing the understanding and treatment of diabetes and endocrine disorders. His research advanced the study of insulin secretion, pancreatic islet biology, and hormone regulation, and his work was published extensively in leading medical journals.

Over the course of his career, he received significant professional recognition for his scientific contributions, including awards from the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK) and the Nokta Science Award, honoring his impact and achievements in biomedical research.

In addition to his scientific accomplishments, he held important leadership roles within the university community, including service as chair of the Institutional Review Board for the Use of Human Subjects in Research, where he helped uphold the highest ethical standards in clinical and biomedical research. He was widely respected by colleagues, students, trainees, and patients for his intellect, integrity, thoughtful mentorship, and unwavering dedication to medicine and science.

Beyond his academic and scientific work, he remained deeply devoted to the Turkish community both locally and abroad. As a founding member of the Turkish American Cultural Association of Michigan (TACAM), he helped foster cultural connection and community for generations of Turkish Americans in Michigan. He also maintained close ties to Türkiye through lectures, mentorship, professional collaboration, and generous support of family and friends.

Sumer also possessed a deep love of travel and exploration, a passion he shared generously with his children and grandchildren. Through many family trips to Türkiye and destinations around the world, he instilled in them a lasting curiosity about other cultures, people, history, and traditions.

In his final months, he was lovingly cared for by his wife, Mickey, with the support of compassionate caregivers whose professionalism, kindness, and humanity brought comfort to him and to his family. Their care and dedication will always be remembered with deep gratitude.

Above all, Sumer will be remembered for his kindness, intellectual rigor, humility, and steadfast devotion to family, friends, colleagues, students, and patients. Beyond his lifelong commitment to medicine and science, he also possessed a deep passion for classical music, which brought him great joy and remained a constant source of inspiration and comfort. His influence lives on in the many people he mentored, taught, cared for, and inspired over the course of his remarkable life.

A celebration of Sumer’s life will be held at a future date. Please contact the family for details.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in honor of Sumer’s life and legacy.