Peter Wells ’44
Peter Wells died of Parkinson's Nov. 6, 1996, in Grant, Fla., where he and his wife, Helen, were living after 51 years of marriage.
Peter came to Princeton from Seabreeze H.S. in Florida, left Princeton to attend Penn Medical School, interned at Germantown Dispensary, and retired as a captain in the Navy after 41 years of service, apparently the most senior captain in the Navy at the time. He served on Guam (where his first son was born), at Portsmouth, the Pentagon, and Jacksonville, and for three tours in Puerto Rico and one in Hawaii. He seriously influenced the design of several naval hospitals and many clinics and shipboard facilities. Perhaps his greatest legacy, however, was his delivery of more than 3,000 babies.
He retired to Florida, built several houses, and pursued his love of sailing. In addition to his wife, Helen, he is survived by three sons, two daughters, 12 grandchildren, and three greats. The class extends its deep sympathy to all.
The Class of 1944
Paw in print
June 2026
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Harris Vernick, M.D.
1 Week AgoRemembering a Leader and Boss
I served under Pete Wells at Naval Medical Center, Mid Pacific Region Medical Center, 1971 to 1974. He was the absolute best boss I have ever had. As his director of medical education, cardiology officer for the mid-Pacific Region, nuclear disaster medical officer for the Pacific, plus 13 other positions, I found Dr. Wells to be my best leader.