Stephen M. Peck

Stephen M. Peck (February 2, 1935 – March 30, 2004) was an American investor and philanthropist who co-founded the investment firm, Weiss, Peck & Greer.

Stephen Martin Peck was born to a Jewish family on February 2, 1935 in New York City. He was the third child and only son of Helen (née Stark) and Barney Peck, a partner in a Wall Street brokerage firm and member of the New York Stock Exchange. Barney Peck, who began his career as a runner for Herrick, Berg and Co., was committed to youth charities and an active supporter of Camp Williams, which provided free vacations to underprivileged children.

Peck graduated from the Fieldston School in New York and with a bachelor's degree in economics from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

In 1956, while still attending college, Peck became one of the youngest members of the New York Stock Exchange, when his father bought him a seat. Peck then worked at his father's specialist Wall Street firm. When his father died unexpectedly in 1957, he founded S.M. Peck & Company with his mother Helen serving as a limited partner.

In 1970, Peck co-founded the private investment firm Weiss, Peck & Greer with Philip Greer and brothers Roger and Stephen H. Weiss. Weiss Peck offered investment-management, private equity, venture-capital and clearing services; it was acquired by Dutch asset manager Robeco in 1998. In 1971, at age 36, Peck was named vice chairman of the New York Stock Exchange's board of governors. In 1985, he joined Saul Steinberg at the insurance company Reliance Group Holdings as the firm's chief investment officer. Throughout his career Peck served on numerous corporate boards including those of Tiger International Inc. and Advance Auto Parts.

Peck was a distinguished philanthropist. He served on the boards of Mount Sinai Medical Center for more than 30 years, including six years as chairman. From 1985 to 1992, he served as chairman of the board of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. He was a prominent supporter of the UJA-Federation of New York, serving as a longtime board member and chair of its Wall Street Division.

Peck married twice. He had three children from his first marriage to Barbara Rubin Peck: Bradford Peck, Jennifer Peck, and Suzanne Peck; and three stepchildren from his second marriage to Judith Stern Peck (previously married to Leonard N. Stern): Andrea Stern, Emanuel Stern, and Edward Stern. Jennifer Peck was married to Craig E. Barnett, a son of Victor and Helaine M. Barnett. They divorced. Peck was a member of B'nai Jeshurun in Manhattan, a community that he and his wife Judy helped revitalize starting in the 1980s. All of his children and stepchildren are active in the Jewish faith. Peck died after complications resulted from a heart procedure on March 30, 2004.