Point Richmond Icon,
Bob Peckham, passes quietly
Robert Donald Peckham,
known to all simply
as "Bob," departed this world on Sunday, August 20, 2006.
He succumbed peacefully in the company of family and friends
after a protracted battle with cancer.
Bob was born in
Concord, New
Hampshire on May 5th, 1936,
to parents Harry Reginald Haynes Peckham and Wilhelmina
Penney Peckham, both natives of Newfoundland. He was raised
in Massachusetts, graduating from Arlington High School in
1955. He lived in the Point Richmond, California area since
1956.
He is survived by his
wife of almost 38 years, Marie, by children Steven, Michael,
Kelley, and Darian, by five granddaughters, Sarah, Emily,
Rebecca, Jessica and Bobby, and by a sister, Marj Hopkins of
Lubbock Texas. He is also survived by brothers- and
sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, great nieces, great
nephews, and by godchildren. He was preceded in death by
his sister, Joan.
Passion, faith, and
love for family and friends were the consistent hallmarks of
Bob's life. All who knew him - whether it be through his
police work, as a butcher, produce clerk, grocery clerk,
store owner, knitter, in church, as a runner, or simply
socially - all saw the passion that he brought to everything
he did. All felt the warmth of his love, and all saw the
deep faith he simply lived by rather than preached. In his
faith, his devotion to the Blessed Mother and his love for
Cursillo and the community at Our Lady of Mercy parish in
the Point were constant.
A favorite poster of
Bob's spoke to another theme he lived by. It read, "You are
constantly called upon to create your own future." This
hung on the wall by his desk in the detective bureau at
Richmond PD.
Bob was a living
legend. Change and self-improvement were important to him,
as were determination and hope. He did not hesitate to take
on challenges others thought impossible to attain, and he
never gave up. Bob fought his illness to the end, speaking
to one friend when he had strength enough for only two
words, "I'm trying."
Marie stood by him in
everything he did, sometimes no small challenge for her as
well. But she, like Bob, never gave up hope and never quit
in her support or encouragement of him. She believed in him
and knew what he had within himself. Together, as one, the
brought each other through the struggles of life.
For those who would
like to join the family in remembering Bob, a Rosary will be
said at Our Lady of Mercy at 7:30 pm
on Wednesday. A funeral mass will be held on
Thursday at 10:00 am, also at Our Lady of Mercy, 301 W.
Richmond Avenue, Point Richmond.
In lieu of flowers,
Marie requests that any gifts of remembrance be made to
either your favorite charity, the American Cancer Society,
or to Mary's House, care of St. Paul's Parish, 1845 Church
Lane, San Pablo, CA 94806-3792.