Robert A. "Bob" Peck

June 28, 1917 - November 22, 2011

Robert A. (Bob) Peck went home to be with the Lord at 3:45 A.M., Tuesday, November 22, 2011. Bob passed away at his home with his loving wife, Arlene, at his side.
Bob was born in Indianapolis, Indiana June 28, 1917 the son of Edgar F. and Hazel (King) Peck. Following the death of his mother when he was three, Bob and his sisters were raised by their grandmother, Emma Elizabeth Peck. Growing up in Indianapolis, Bob enjoyed being outdoors, participating in all sports, and teasing his sisters. He graduated from Indianapolis George Washington High School. After high school, taking the trade he had learned from his father, Bob became the head electrician at Fairmount Glass. In the early fall of 1941, Bob met the love of his life, Arlene Phillips, on a blind date. He proposed that New Year's Eve, and they were married the following July on Bob's first furlow.
Bob had been drafted into the United States Army in December of 1941; upon the completion of basic training, Bob applied and was accepted into the pilot training program and became a member of the U.S. Army Air Corps. As part of his cadet training, Bob enrolled at North Carolina State University where, in addition to his studies, he participated in baseball as a left-handed pitcher and first baseman. During his military career, he was stationed at Air Corps bases in Pennsylvania, Michigan, New York, New Jersey, Alabama, Texas, and Mississippi. At the majority of these outposts he was accompanied by his loving wife, Arlene. His greatest thrill during his time in the service was becoming a pilot. As joyous as he was that the war ended, he was disappointed he did not get to fly the mission over Japan that he had spent many months training for.
Following his service in the military, Bob and Arlene moved from Indianapolis to Arlene's hometown of North Vernon. There Bob worked for the Shell Oil Company before founding the Bob Peck Oil Company, which he owned and operated until 1989. During his working career, he also drove a school bus for the Jennings County School Corporation and for the Foster Grandparents program.
Bob was a member of the Indiana Kentucky Electric fast-pitch softball team, which won numerous tournaments including an Indiana State Championship. He also was an active member of the Muscatatuck Country Club, where he participated in the Twilight Golf League. He was a member of the Lions Club International, the Jennings County Church Softball League, the North Vernon Lodge #59, F. & A.M., the Shrine, First Christian Church of North Vernon and coached in the North Vernon Little League.
However, Bob's greatest joy in life was spending time with his wife, son, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He never missed one of their events. He enjoyed traveling around Indiana and the country watching them participate in their various sports. He was a truly devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
Bob is survived by his wife of sixty-nine years, Arlene, a son Robert A. "Tony" (Jeanie) Peck II of Columbus, grandchildren: Jennifer (Joseph) Small of Franklin, Heather (Steven) Bush and Erin Peck of Columbus, and Robert A. "Robby" (Sydney) Peck III of Nashville. Great-grandchildren: Jacob Warren and Emma Grace Small of Franklin and Landon Matthew Bush of Columbus. He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Merle Elizabeth Vise and Emma Grace Kimberlin.

Funeral Information

A funeral service will be held at Sawyer-Pickett Funeral & Cremation Service on Saturday, November 26, 2011 at noon with visitation from 10 AM until the time of the service. Burial will follow at Vernon Cemetery.

Donations Information

Memorials may be made through the funeral home to Riley Children's Hospital.