‘Father of Peeps’ marshmallow candies Bob Born dies at 98

As a young man, Bob Born applied for medical school, but while waiting to enroll fell in love with the candy business owned by his father. Just Born makes about 2 billion Peeps a year. (AP Photos)

Ira “Bob” Born, a candy company executive known as the “Father of Peeps” for mechanizing the process to make marshmallow chicks, has died. He was 98.

Just Born Quality Confections, the 100-year-old family-owned company Born led for much of his life, said Monday that he had died peacefully on Sunday.