Natalia Chi
Candy company executive Ira “Bob” Born, known as “Father of Peeps” for mechanizing the process of making marshmallow chicks, has died. he was 98 years old.
Just Born Quality Confections, the 100-year-old family-owned company where Born led most of his life, said Monday that he passed away peacefully on Sunday.
Bourne began living in New York City on September 29, 1924. His father, Sam Hisborn, was a Russian immigrant who set up Just His Born shortly before his son was born. The family then moved to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, which is still the home of his Just Born.
Bob Born graduated from Lehigh University with a degree in engineering physics. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving as a radar specialist and a destroyer lieutenant in the Pacific. The Navy then sent him to the University of Arizona and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to do research in mathematics and physics.
Bourne applied to medical school and was accepted, but worked at Just Bourne while waiting for classes to start. He fell in love with the candy business and decided to stay.
“The candy business was kind of catchy… interesting to him,” said Ross Bourne, son of Bob Bourne. lehigh valley news“He enjoyed science, technology and processing. He was obsessed with equipment.”
In 1953, Just Born purchased Rodda Candy Co., a jelly bean manufacturer. Rodda Candy Co. had a side business making hand-molded marshmallow candies. Back then, it took about 27 hours to make a marshmallow.
Bob Bourne saw the potential in candy and worked with the company’s engineers to design and build a machine that made candy in less than six minutes. The company’s current machine, which is still based on Bob Born’s design, produces 5.5 million of his Peeps per day.
After 70 years, Peeps remains Just Born’s most famous candy brand. Just Born makes about 2 billion Peeps each year. This is enough to make her 2.5 laps around the globe. It sells best on Easter, but versions for Halloween, Valentine’s Day, and other holidays are also available.
Bob Bourne also came up with the recipe for another popular Just Bone candy, Hot Tamales.
Bob Born became president of Just Born in 1959, a role he held for over 30 years. The last time he visited Just His Bone’s factory was on February 15, 2019, when the city of Bethlehem declared Easter the first day of his season “Bob Bone Day.”
He spent most of his retirement in Florida, where he led a literacy program and enjoyed hobbies such as photography. .
“Bob will be remembered as a tireless and passionate advocate of the candy industry and a great supporter of our community,” said David Shaffer, Co-CEO and Chairman of Just Born.
In addition to his son, he is survived by his widow Patricia. daughter Sarah. She has 5 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. His funeral will be held privately.
