Dr. David Perkel

Dr. David Perkel passed away on Thursday, November 2, 2023, in Macon, Georgia, from complications of congestive heart failure, three weeks shy of his 88th birthday.  

Dr. Perkel was born in West New York, New Jersey to Samuel Joseph and Sophie (Richman) Perkel. He was a graduate of Memorial High School, received a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy from Rutgers University, and received his medical degree in 1963 from Kirksville College of Osteopathy & Surgery in Kirksville, Missouri. He began practicing medicine in 1964. Dr. Perkel moved to Oakland, New Jersey in 1969, where he continued to practice family medicine until his retirement in 2000. Dr. Perkel was certified in Family Practice by the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians and was on the staff of Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, New Jersey until his retirement. He was beloved not only for his skill as a physician and diagnostician, but for his friendly and welcoming demeanor and ever-present wit that put generations of patients at ease. 

Dr. Perkel had a life-long love of music, singing and playing clarinet and saxophone for family and friends throughout the years. In college, he enjoyed playing in his band, the Knight Kappers, and was a member of Musician’s Local of Jersey City.  

Dr. Perkel was the devoted and loving husband of Susan Linda Perkel for 57 years, until her passing earlier this year from Lewy Body Dementia. Susan and David were inseparable and their love, devotion, and loyalty to each other set an example for their entire family to live up to. David is survived by his three loving sons, Jonathan Perkel (Lilibeth) of Manhattan, Jason Perkel (Lindsey Fyfe) of Goshen, Connecticut, and Joshua Perkel (Natalie) of Macon, Georgia, and his sister Linda Bedrock of East Windsor, New Jersey, his sister-in-law Janet Sutton (Bill) of York, England, and his brother-in-law Charles Chubak (Patricia) of Los Angeles, California. He is also survived by his seven adoring grandchildren, Aaron Perkel of Macon, Sophie Perkel of Connecticut, Abigail Rose “Abby Rose” Perkel of Macon, Lilian Perkel of Connecticut, Alexis “Lexi” Perkel of Manhattan, Benjamin “Benji” Perkel of Macon and Elizabeth “Betty” Perkel of Macon. 

As per his wishes, Dr. Perkel will be honored by family with a private graveside ceremony at Rose Hill Cemetery in Macon, Georgia. Friends will be greeted at his son Dr. Joshua Perkel’s home in Macon following the ceremony. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that well-wishers contribute in David’s memory to the Lewy Body Dementia Organization: https://www.lbda.org/donate/ 

Please visit www.hartsmort.com to express condolences.

Hart’s on Cherry Street, Hart's Mortuary and Cremation Center, 765 Cherry Street, Macon, GA 31201 has charge of the arrangements.

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