Key takeaways:
- Ira “Bob” Born, known as the “Father of Peeps”, passed away peacefully on Sunday
- Born was born to Russian immigrant Sam Born, who had founded Just Born Quality Confections shortly before his son’s birth
- He is best known for mechanizing the process to make marshmallow chicks, which are a popular Easter treat, and for his work in the growth of the family-owned company
Ira “Bob” Born, a candy company executive known as the “Father of Peeps” for mechanizing the process to make marshmallow chicks, has passed away. Born, who was the leader of the 100-year-old family-owned company Just Born Quality Confections, died peacefully on Sunday, according to the Lehigh Valley News.
Born was born in 1923 to Russian immigrant Sam Born, who had founded Just Born shortly before his son’s birth. After graduating from Lehigh University with a degree in engineering physics, Born enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a radar specialist and a lieutenant on a destroyer in the Pacific. He was later sent to the University of Arizona and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for graduate work in math and physics.
Born is best known for his work in mechanizing the process to make marshmallow chicks, which are brightly colored and have become a popular Easter treat. He was also instrumental in the growth of the family-owned company, which is still based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Just Born Quality Confections said in a statement that Born was a “true innovator” who had a “profound impact” on the candy industry. He will be remembered for his passion for candy making and his dedication to the company.
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