Colin Peck described accepting an internship offer from Medtronic as “surreal.” 

Not only does his internship in our Cardiac Rhythm Management Operating Unit foster his love for technology and cardiovascular health — but it’s the same internship his older brother, Brian, received mere months before dying from cardiac arrest. 

“I am now able to contribute my experience to technology that would have saved my brother’s life,” said Colin, a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. “It is an honor to be able to continue the shared path he was unable to start.” 

Brothers, friends, dreamers 

Growing up in Orland Park, Illinois, Colin and Brian were inseparable. Colin’s interest in technology was sparked at an early age while playing video games with his brother. Despite a four-year age gap, the brothers often stayed up late talking about life and the future of technology. Brian was not only a sibling, but also Colin’s best friend and mentor. 

Colin remembers one of his last moments with Brian. It was Thanksgiving break of 2019, and Brian, a UW-Madison student at the time, was home for the holiday. The brothers stayed up until 5 a.m. talking about their future aspirations and the exciting potential of technology. The following morning, Colin took a moment to share a final hug and goodbye with his brother before leaving for school. 

A few weeks later, Brian died in his dorm room from an undiagnosed arrhythmia at age 20. 

Brian had a remarkable sense of humor and an awkward, fun-loving personality, Colin said. He often performed songs on his guitar. His favorite song to play was “Just Breathe” by Pearl Jam. The phrase has since taken on a deeper meaning for Colin and his family, providing comfort and a source of resilience.  

Turning grief into impact 

Brian’s death has further fueled Colin’s passion for technology and taught him about the importance of monitoring and maintaining cardiac health.  

In high school, Colin volunteered for EKG drives — a quick test that checks a person’s heartbeat — something that could have caught Brian’s arrhythmia and saved his life. 

Colin will finish his degrees in computer science and engineering in December 2025 — and he will carry his brother’s passion and memory with him 

“I want to turn my grief into change, impact, and growth,” he said.” The motivation and passion of knowing what happened to Brian gives me drive to want to prevent that in any other situation.” 

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