Rocky Mountain Laboratories lost a humble and hard-working scientist on June 16 when Marius Peacock of Hamilton passed away at age 79.
For 45 years – from 1962 to 2008 – Peacock was employed at RML in various roles. Along the way he worked with some of the most prominent figures in RML history – Richard Ormsbee, J.C. Williams, and Jack Munoz among them – and helped train and mentor some of today’s scientific leaders at RML.
Known as Mort to friends and colleagues, Peacock spent most of his career working with Rickettsia, the genus of bacteria that causes diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Coxiella burnetii, which causes Q fever. In 1997, a new species of bacterium that he had isolated from wood ticks was named after him, Rickettsia peacockii.
Many colleagues considered Peacock a world expert in isolating and cultivating Rickettsia and Coxiella because of his vast knowledge and skilled techniques.
“Mort had incredible hands in the lab, and his ability to accomplish technically challenging procedures was renowned,” said RML’s Robert Heinzen, Ph.D. “He had a sixth-sense in working with these difficult bacteria.” Dr. Heinzen learned from Peacock both as a postdoc from 1991-96 and then while overseeing his own lab starting in 2003.
During his career Peacock isolated many strains of Rickettsia from natural sources, such as infected tissue, and he established pure stocks that scientists still use today in research projects. He also was instrumental in developing many research techniques and tests still in use.
“Mort was a gentle and modest man who was always willing to help out or share his expertise,” said RML’s Ted Hackstadt, Ph.D. “He supported several scientists and trained many post-doctoral fellows and technicians.” Dr. Hackstadt lured Peacock out of a brief retirement in 1990, hiring him to work on Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
Colleagues also recalled Peacock’s love of the outdoors and enthusiasm to help plan hiking trips.
“If you were going to be lost in the woods, Mort was the person you wanted to be with,” said RML’s Marshall Bloom, M.D. “He was just as skilled in the outdoors as he was in the lab.”
Peacock, a Missoula native, received degrees from the University of Montana in 1959 in bacteriology and in 1960 in microbiology and public health. During his career Peacock published more than 60 scientific articles. He also was elected as an honorary member of the American Society for Rickettsial Diseases.