Father of Peeps maker Ira Bob Born dies at 100

Ira Bob Born, a candy company executive known as Father of Peeps for pioneering the way in which the chick-shaped candies are made, has died, Just Born Quality Confections announced on Monday.

Born on Sunday, he was the son of Just Born founder Sam Born, who joined the Pennsylvania-based company after he left the Navy after World War II.

Just Born was an inventor whose incredible intellect allowed him to see solutions to almost any situation, Just Born said in a press release.

He was most impressed by his ability to see how Peeps could be produced in a mechanical manner. Bob designed the machine that deposits the Peeps Marshmallow Chicks, and his machine was in use for well over 50 years. Bob's design was the basis for the current marshmallow depositing systems. In 1953, Just Born, a company that makes Mike and Ike and Goldenberg's Peanut Chews, acquired Rodda Candy Company, which made jelly beans, but also created marshmallow candies by hand that took nearly 26 hours to make, according to Lehigh Valley News.

Born in an engineer, a machine was built to make marshmallows faster, churning out the candies in under six minutes. Over the years, the company continued to use one similar to the one Born developed.

Ross Born, who served as CEO of the company, told the Lehigh Valley News that there was no one doing that kind of thing. He built it. Born hardly a one-trick pony, he also developed Hot Tamales by finding a creative way to rework Mike and Ike candies, the company said in its press release.

Bob will be remembered as a tireless advocate for the candy industry and a wonderful supporter of our community. Bob was our second generation family member whose dedication was instrumental in Just Born reaching our 100 year milestone. The family extended deepest sympathy to his son, Ross, said David Shaffer, board chair and co-CEO of Just Born.

Ross Born told the Lehigh Valley News that the candy business was kind of catchy and interesting to him. He enjoyed the technology, the science, and the processing. He was very into the equipment.