A recent ceremony marked the creation of the Jerry C. Luck Teaching Fund. Luck, a cardiologist at Penn State Hershey, died on May 18 following a bicycle accident in North Carolina. He was 68. The fund, created in his memory, will support professional development opportunities for students serving as fellows at Penn State Hershey Heart and Vascular Institute.
Luck joined Penn State Hershey in 1985 as director of cardiac electrophysiology. He left in 2006 for private practice, but continued to teach at Penn State College of Medicine. Luck returned as a clinician in 2014.
“Returning to teach full time in 2014 was the pinnacle of his academic career,” said Kathy Kyper, Luck’s wife. “At last, he had become the ‘grand old professor’ that others sought out for his wisdom and insight.”
A ceremony was held on Oct. 7 for the signing of the guidelines for the Jerry C. Luck Teaching Fund.
Kyper says the fund that bears her husband’s name will honor his legacy.
“Jerry Luck was the consummate physician, teacher, and human being. His gentle nature, easy smile and genuine respect for all those he encountered in life set him apart from others,” Kyper said. “The depth of his compassion and concern for his patients was deeply felt and reflected in his care. His infectious desire to teach anyone with a question or moment to spare was unending.
“It is our hope that in some small way, Jerry can continue to impact the education and training of cardiology fellows here in Hershey over the next ten years,” Kyper said.