Peter S. Birk ’55

Peter was born Jan. 20, 1934, in Wurzburg, Germany. He died Oct. 17, 2016, in Silver Spring, Md. He lives in memory as the individual who informed anyone willing to listen that “German is a spitting language.”

Coming from Lincoln High School in Jersey City, N.J., he joined Terrace Club, majored in the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, and wrote his thesis on the “Diplomatic History of the Confederacy.”

Peter was a caring husband, loving father, beloved Oppa, kind step-grandfather, and cherished physician. He is survived by his wife, Rebecca; children Jennifer Shirah Birk Goldschmidt, Dr. Daniel Meier Birk, and Aaron Jacob Birk; grandchildren Isaac Ari Lev Goldschmidt, Amelie Ruth Goldschmidt, and Bella Esther Birk; and step-grandchildren Lauren and Lilly Serpan. Peter left many in sorrow. To his survivors, the class offers condolences.