Ira "Bob" Born, the candy institution enforcement known arsenic the "Father of Peeps," has died. He was 98.
Born was agelong astatine the helm of Just Born Quality Confections, a century-old institution started by his begetter Sam Born. The institution announced his decease Monday, sharing that helium died peacefully connected Sunday.
Born successful N.Y.C., Born's household moved successful the 1930s to Bethlehem, Penn. wherever Just Born is inactive based. After graduating from Lehigh University, Born enlisted successful the U.S. Navy wherever helium served arsenic a radar specializer and a lieutenant connected a destroyer successful the Pacific. The Navy yet sent him to some the University of Arizona and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, wherever helium studied mathematics and physics.
Though helium had aims to be aesculapian schoolhouse and had been accepted, helium decided to assistance retired astatine his father's concern portion helium awaited the commencement date, and yet felt it was his calling. He stayed with the institution until retirement.
At Just Born, wherever helium was president for 30 years starting successful 1959, Born led a bequest that progressive the invention of Peeps, the fashionable marshmallow bunnies. He revolutionized the exertion to alteration the process of making the marshmallow delights — cutting the 27-hour process down to a six-minute mechanized procedure. Born besides invented Hot Tamales by uncovering a mode to rework the Mike and Ike candies.
"He learned the concern from the crushed up, focusing connected the method and processing aspects of candy making," Ross Born, Bob's son, said successful a statement. "At the aforesaid time, helium recognized the value of processing people, and helium discovered fantastic endowment that made a affirmative interaction connected the business."
Though Born yet stepped away, helium visited Just Born often and past visited the mill successful February 2019 erstwhile helium was honored by the metropolis of Bethlehem aft they named the archetypal time of the Easter play arsenic "Bob Born Day," according to the company.
"Bob volition beryllium remembered arsenic a tireless and passionate advocator for the candy manufacture and a fantastic protagonist of our community," David Shaffer, the committee seat and co-CEO of Just Born, said successful a statement. "Bob was our second-generation household subordinate whose dedication was instrumental successful Just Born reaching our 100-year milestone. We widen our deepest sympathy to his son, Ross, and the full family."
After retiring, Born moved to Florida wherever helium pursued his different passions, including photography. Born besides started a literacy programme successful a Florida schoolhouse strategy successful an underserved community, according to Ross.
Never miss a communicative — motion up for PEOPLE's escaped regular newsletter to enactment up-to-date connected the champion of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy personage quality to compelling quality involvement stories.
He was progressive with a immense array of organizations specified arsenic being the manager of the Jewish Institute for National Security of America and a seat of the Anti-Defamation League.
Born is survived by his widow, Patricia; children Sara and Ross; 5 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
English (US)