Jeff was born in Palo Alto, California, to Carol (Stearns) and Colin Peters. The family lived at the crest of a ridge in the hills above Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, CA, a wide-open space that encouraged free roaming and free thinking. Sports and academics were the family priorities, and Jeff excelled in both. At Los Altos High, Jeff earned varsity letters in football, basketball, and baseball, frequently serving as team captain and/or MVP. He was no less accomplished in academics, gaining admission to Harvard College, graduating in 1971, and then Stanford Law School, class of 1974. Jeff practiced law in Boston for a few years before moving on to work as a consultant, notably in the AT&T antitrust litigation. He also taught law at Boston University, Suffolk Law, and New England School of Law. Jeff then became a senior administrator at Harvard, where he spent the remainder of his career.
After retiring from Harvard in 2009, Jeff devoted himself to classical piano and other forms of music including choral singing, French horn, and guitar. He downplayed his abilities but was in fact an accomplished musician, especially at the piano, where he spent his happiest hours. He usually closed a day of practice with one of his favorite Brahms sonatas. He was also an avid cyclist, traveling throughout the world by bike and using his bike as his main mode of transportation at home in Cambridge, Massachusetts, even during the winter months. Jeff had an active and inquisitive mind, always curious and rarely satisfied with simple answers. He loved feta cheese, French wine, and good company, and had an unparalleled gift for connecting with people, especially those who enjoyed conversing about science, politics, music, human relations, and philosophy. His last years were shared in harmony with his companion, Libby Seaman.
Jeff passed away on February 20, 2025, as the result of a sudden cardiac arrest sustained while he was riding his bike home from a weekly breakfast with an old friend. He is survived by his brother Stephen Peters, sister Anne Battle, their families, cousins Torie Thacher, Peter Seitz and Linda Seitz, partner Libby Seaman, former wife Peggy Hanratty, and many friends from every corner of his life.
I was greatly saddened to hear about Jeff's death. Jeff was a wonderful person--smart, kind, talented and honest. He had a kind of integrity rarely found in the modern world. He will be missed.
Jeff was my oldest friend. I have known him since I was born, because our mothers were friends. We were born a few days apart. I am sad he is gone. Rest in peace old friend.
Had Jeff been sick? For some reason, I thought Jeff would never die. He just seemed like one of those exceptional people that would defy the odds!! This makes me so sad as I have lots of really good memories in high school, college and as an adult with Jeff. Makes me very very sad.
Jeffrey and I had been writing to each other the past 5 years or so and a warm friendship from high school days was renewed. Jeff died February 20 after a sudden cardiac arrest February 8th. He was a classy, cultured and kind guy in every way. I will miss him and all the things we talked about past, present and future. Rest in Peace Friend.
Karen Heintz
I was greatly saddened to hear about Jeff's death. Jeff was a wonderful person--smart, kind, talented and honest. He had a kind of integrity rarely found in the modern world. He will be missed.
Margi Vincenti (Vincenti-Brown)
Jeff was my oldest friend. I have known him since I was born, because our mothers were friends. We were born a few days apart. I am sad he is gone. Rest in peace old friend.
Julie Sant (Schenk)
Had Jeff been sick? For some reason, I thought Jeff would never die. He just seemed like one of those exceptional people that would defy the odds!! This makes me so sad as I have lots of really good memories in high school, college and as an adult with Jeff. Makes me very very sad.
Bob Barry
Jeffrey and I had been writing to each other the past 5 years or so and a warm friendship from high school days was renewed. Jeff died February 20 after a sudden cardiac arrest February 8th. He was a classy, cultured and kind guy in every way. I will miss him and all the things we talked about past, present and future. Rest in Peace Friend.