Greybeard Journal's PEER Awards - June 2026
Recognizing those ageless wonders
By Greybeard Journal
Greybeard Journal is dedicated to the premise that one can get older without “getting old,” that “those of a certain age” can remain vital and relevant in this next stage of their lives. We refuse to let age define us and believe the journey of getting older, and all that it entails, is a common, shared experience.
For that reason, every month we recognize those ageless wonders (defined as 50-years-of-age and older) who defy their chronological age, who have done something significant that flies in the face of what society may think an older person can do. We attempt to primarily honor those who are “regular” people rather than celebrities, but may include a famous person occasionally. We will also remember fondly some of those of a certain age who have passed during that month.
Our honorees will win (tongue firmly planted in cheek) the virtual and venerated Greybeard Journal PEER Award.
The PEER Award stands for:
Positively Aging
Engaged in life, maintaining social connections, contributing to their community
Ever-evolving, a desire to continue personal development
Resilient, an important trait as one ages
June 2026 Peer Award Winners
Carl June, 74 and Michel Sadelain, 67. Both men were awarded the Ross Prize in Molecular Medicine for their pioneering research into CAR T-cell therapy, a treatment for certain blood cancers that has transformed care of the disease. Their work spanned decades, and in June 2026 their efforts were rewarded with the Ross Prize.
RIP (50-years-of-age or older)
These are just some of those we lost in June 2026:
Clive Davis, 94. The legendary music executive who was instrumental in the careers of many popular artists including Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Whitney Houston, Bruce Springsteen, Santana and Billy Joel.
Alan Greenspan, 100. Greenspan served a long and distinguished career as U.S. Federal Reserve chair under four presidents from 1987 to 2006.
James Burrows, 85. Co-creator and executive producer of Cheers, also directed numerous television hits such as Friends, Taxi, Frasier, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Bob Newhart Show, Laverne and Shirley and others.
Peabo Bryson, 75. Bryson was a singer and songwriter who wrote among other hits Beauty and the Beast.
If any reader of this blog knows someone 50-or-older who should be recognized for a significant achievement, please let us know by email us at: greybeardjournal@gmail.com