Peter Michael Yurchak, MD, of MGH Cardiology (left), died July 30 of pancreatic cancer in Boston. A gifted cardiologist and teacher, Yurchak was widely considered a true gentleman. He was 74.

Yurchak graduated from Wyoming Seminary in Pennsylvania in 1948, the University of Pennsylvania in 1953 and Harvard Medical School (HMS) in 1957, and served in the U.S. Air Force in England from 1959 to 1961.

He was the training program director for MGH Cardiology from 1994 to 2006, and supervised the MGH Cardiology fellowship program from 1970 to 2007. A teacher for 43 years, Yurchak received three HMS honors for excellence in teaching. He authored numerous articles on clinical cardiology as well as Essentials of Patient Care, a widely used guide for medical students.

“Peter was the quintessential academic cardiologist, a loyal friend and thoughtful advisor,” says G. William Dec Jr., MD, chief of MGH Cardiology. “He spent his life devoted to the education of medical students, residents and cardiology fellows. In that regard, he had no peer. His hundreds of trainees are his lasting legacy.” 

A memorial mass will be held Sept. 7 at 10 am at St. John the Evangelist Church at 9 Glen Road in Wellesley. A memorial service will be held Sept. 8 at 11 am at Memorial Church in Harvard Yard.

Donations can be made to the Peter M. Yurchak Cardiac Education Fund,
c/o Massachusetts General Hospital Development Office, 165 Cambridge St., Boston, MA 02114.