Dr. Peter H. Drake, D.D.S.

Dr. Peter H. Drake, of Dillsburg, PA, died peacefully at home on Thursday, October 12, 2023. He was 66. Peter had been married to his wife and best friend, Marcy, for 43 years. 

Born May 27, 1957 in Schwäbisch Hall, Germany, Peter moved to Mt. Holly, New Jersey with his parents as a small child. Peter graduated salutatorian from Rancocas Valley Regional High School in 1976 and went on to attend Gettysburg College, graduating magna cum laude with a B.S. in Chemistry. From 1980 to 1983, Peter taught high school chemistry in the York Suburban and Northern York County School Districts before attending Georgetown Dental School. Upon graduating with a D.D.S. degree in 1987, Peter and his family moved to Dillsburg, PA where he opened his own dental practice, Drake Family Dentistry, which he owned until 2005. During this time, he taught in Harrisburg Area Community College’s Dental Hygiene Program. After selling his practice, Peter worked as a Managing Dental Consultant at Delta Dental of PA until his retirement in 2021.

Peter Drake was a well-respected businessman and member of the Dillsburg community. Peter’s main interest was always his family; he loved his children and wife dearly and supported them wholeheartedly. He had a wonderful sense of humor and remarkable resiliency that helped him thrive despite a tough upbringing, lifelong battle with bipolar disorder and recent Parkinson’s disease diagnosis. 

Peter was, above all, a kind man with a gentle spirit and giving personality. He was a pop culture enthusiast with a passionate singing voice who loved to dance (especially disco!), a notoriously poor driver, master of convenience and dearly loved husband, father and Opa.

Peter is survived by his wife Marcella S. Drake, née Stiffler, of Dillsburg, his son Joshua M. Drake and wife Caitlin M. Drake, of Carlisle, his son Justin A. Drake and partner Meaghan V. Kauffman, of Temecula, CA, his daughter Jessica L. Drake, of Dillsburg, his granddaughter Lupin O. Drake, of Carlisle, and his mother-in-law Marlene J. Stiffler, née Strayer, of Dillsburg.

In accordance with Peter’s wishes, an informal gathering will be held for anyone who would like to join the family in remembrance at Greystone Brew House in Dillsburg on Saturday, October 28, 2023. Please come as you are anytime between 12 pm and 2 pm. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the National Alliance on Mental Illness at NAMI.org.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dr. Peter H. Drake, D.D.S., please visit our floral store.