Peter Colburn Williams

Peter Colburn Williams, 81, passed away on May 23rd in Schenectady, NY. Peter is survived by his loving partner of over 40 years, Karen Barron Donegan, his three daughters, Elizabeth Greenwood, Alexis Coatney, and Zanna Williams, and his grandchildren Aleah Coatney, Gavin Coatney, and Mack Grafft.


Peter was born in Los Angeles to Helen Virginia (née Benjamin) and Jack Kermit Williams, and was the younger brother to Brown F. Williams. He was raised in Alhambra, CA, and loved to explore the Southern California outdoors as an Eagle Scout. After graduating from Alhambra High in 1961, he went on to graduate from Occidental College with a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy, Political Science, and Government, and to receive both his Juris Doctor in Law in 1968 and a Doctorate in Philosophy in 1973 at Harvard University in Cambridge, MA.


After graduation, he moved to Port Jefferson, NY, to work at Stony Brook University first as a professor in the Philosophy Department, then teaching medical ethics to hundreds of medical students. He was instrumental in crafting medical education, overseeing the Medical School curriculum to incorporate social, ethical, and legal issues in medicine. In 2000, Peter was appointed as Vice Dean for Academic and Faculty Affairs and served with distinction in this position until his retirement in 2012, when he was granted Emeritus status. He was a talented teacher who loved his students and was loved by his students. Many former students became lifelong friends.


“The smartest, funniest, craziest, most insightful friend ever.” - Tom Karl
“I loved Peter. So did my wife, Lynne. He was one of her favorite professors in medical school.” - Timothy Mount
“...a wonderful mentor to me and so many others. It would always bring a smile to me to see him, and even in the toughest times he always had a quip or witticism which would lighten the mood.” - Bill Wertheim
“He was one of the smartest people I knew and one of the funniest. His sense of humor was as wicked as his heart was wide.” - Will Parrinello
“Pete had the ability either to scare the crap out of someone with his intellect or to let it more gently dawn on the listener while putting them at ease” - Jim Paul


Peter and Karen met at Stony Brook University. They created a beautiful home and embarked on many adventures together. They traveled to New Zealand, Colombia, the Caribbean, and around the US. He enjoyed hiking and backpacking the Appalachian trail and Haleakalā National Park. He was an active person who enjoyed playing tennis, riding his bicycle, and sailing. He loved music - listening to classical music, singing in a community choir, whistling and harmonizing to muzak, and playing the recorder. Peter was a jack-of-all-trades at home. He was a regular gourmet chef and sometimes builder, electrician, woodworker and plumber. He and Karen spent many happy hours tending their beautiful yard and vegetable garden. He also loved animals. He had many truly beloved pets over the years and also loved wildlife, “adopting” multiple animals of all types and stripes, and had a special fondness for birds and birdwatching.


In lieu of a service or flowers, donations may be made to the Sierra Club or Audubon Society.