Harley Peckham

Harley Mason Peckham of Mountain Grove died suddenly on September 11, 2017. He was working outdoors at the Amish Outreach Clinic in Seymour when he collapsed and could not be resuscitated. He had lived 66 interesting years at the time of his death.

Harley was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on November 5, 1950, to Harry Norman and Jean Philips (Henry) Peckham. He was the oldest of three brothers and learned family responsibilities at a young age. The Peckhams moved often during Harley’s childhood before finally settling in Palatine, Illinois. Harley attended high school there. He played several sports and was active in Boy Scouts, where he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.

The war in Vietnam was raging when Harley graduated from high school. He enlisted in the Army and served on active duty between 1969-1972 as a Sergeant 15E40. He continued in the Reserves through 1974.

Army service allowed Harley to attend college on the GI Bill. He had a life-long love of learning and accumulated degrees in several fields including Mathematics, Geology, and Geochemistry. He often stated that he would still be in grad school if he hadn’t met his future bride.

In 1978, Harley was introduced to a starving college student named Nancy Jane Hayes. They married in 1980. Harley left grad school before completing his Master’s thesis because Nancy had been accepted to a medical school in Texas. He finished his degree while working full-time as a geologist for Amoco. His sacrifice and support allowed Nancy to pursue her dream of becoming a family doctor.

In 1987, the couple moved to Mountain Grove, Missouri, to begin a new chapter in their lives. Dr. Hayes joined a local medical practice while Harley used his knowledge of computer programming to start a computer store. He was instrumental in introducing computers into the classrooms of several local school districts.

In 1989, Helen Maureen Peckham was born. Harley took on the majority of their daughter’s care while Nancy continued to work insanely long hours as a country doctor. TCMH nurses remember him bringing Helen to the hospital so their daughter could see her mom.

Harley had many talents. One of his proudest accomplishments was building a new home for the family. He did this with the help of his good friends, Jack Burke, his brother, Tom, his nephews, and a few local craftsmen. Harley was able to enjoy living in this new home for two years before he died without warning.

Besides his parents, Harley was preceded in death by his brother, Richard Preston Peckham.

He is survived by his wife and daughter, his remaining brother, Thomas Randall Peckham, many in-laws, nieces, nephews, and their offspring. He was a good man who cared for his family and those around him. He will be sorely missed.