Eugene "Gene" Lloyd Peck, 90, died Feb. 8, 2014, due to complications from Alzheimer's.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, at Unger-Horner Funeral Home in Rochelle. A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held on Saturday, Sept. 27, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Rochelle United Methodist Church in Rochelle with a reception to follow.
Mr. Peck was born at Allerton Ranch #2 near Atkinson on Feb. 14, 1923, the fourth child of the late Justin Harley and Emma (Ater) Peck. He married Helen Lebeck in 1944,and she preceded him in death in 2012 after 68 years of marriage.
Near the age of two, his father died in an accident and he lived in several places before settling in Harvel. His mother died when he was 16, and he then lived with friends until he graduated from high school. After graduating he attended three years at the University of Illinois, pursuing a degree in civil engineering
Before he could complete his college studies, Mr. Peck entered the U.S. Army in the engineering corps then transferred to the Army Air Force to become a navigator, bombardier and co-pilot in B-25s. After marrying, he left for the China, Burma, India Theater where he flew 45 bombing/strafing missions over the Himalayan Mountains.
After the ending of hostilities with Japan, Mr. Peck was transferred to Europe (Paris, France) as a logistics officer for transferring material throughout Europe and for returning to the USA. He spoke little of his experiences of this time, although two were mentioned. One was an on-site review of a Nazi death camp (which made a profound impact), and the second was a visit to Hitler’s Eagle Nest compound. He left the Army as a captain.
After returning to the USA, he re-entered the University of Illinois to finish his BSCE degree and obtain a MSCE degree. Although he started the PhD program, he left to be in the “real world,” which was more exciting than academics. He later became a licensed professional engineer and a licensed surveyor.
Mr. Peck worked for a couple of years for the engineering company Sverdrup and Parcel in St. Louis in drafting and design of bridges. He left when the lure of agriculture called. He managed and farmed a 1,250-acre farm near Monticello for a brother-in-law until the farm was sold. He then worked as the assistant county supervisor of highways for Piatt County.
After leaving the highway office, he joined Midwest Prestressed Concrete Company of Springfield, which expanded to Rochelle. He was tasked to convert the Baldwin/Whitcomb Locomotive buildings into a prestressed concrete beam production site as the plant manager and later as the VP of operations. Moving to northern Illinois began his “love affair” with the people of Rochelle and the surrounding area. Even though “prestressed concrete” work was his job, people and working with people in the community was his life.
Mr. Peck was a longtime member of the Rochelle Methodist Church, serving on many committees throughout the years and as a Sunday school teacher for youth and adults. He was also quite active in Cub and Boy Scouts, both locally and in the Sinnissippi District. He received the Silver Beaver Award for dedicated service, was a devoted Rotarian and was named a Paul Harris Fellow.
He served several years on the Rochelle Elementary School District 218 School Board and the Rochelle Hospital Board, becoming president of each board for one term during his tenures. The Illinois School Boards Association also recognized him for his service to Illinois education. He was a member of the Rochelle Chamber of Commerce and helped the Rochelle Chamber to become the first accredited Chamber in Illinois. He also served as the Chamber’s chair of the Congressional Action Committee.
Mr. Peck felt privileged to serve on the Village of Progress Board, of which he was board president for four years, and as a member of Sinnissippi Services. He was also a member of the Rochelle Conservation Club and of Toastmasters International. After retirement he became a member of the Dement Township Drainage District.
In 1976 when the prestressed concrete company was owned by the Westinghouse Electric Corporation, he received the Westinghouse Company Community Service Award (one of only four within Westinghouse). He was also greatly honored to be named the 1979 Rochelle Community Leader of the Year.
Mr. Peck was a man of service, whether it was washing dishes, walking in the CROP Walk for Hunger, making sure the boilers were working at the church on cold winter days, bagging sweet corn or in leadership positions on various committees, commissions and boards. He was a serious conversationalist and loved engaging people on almost any subject.
He is survived by five children, Don (wife Eileen) of Raleigh, NC, Ken (wife Narumon) of Raytown, MO, Jan (wife Colleen) of Leslie, MI, Kay (husband the late David) Eiband of Vail, AZ, and Joy (husband Mark) Storm of Bradford, RI; ten grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be given in Mr. Peck's name to the Rochelle United Methodist Church, Rotary International, Village of Progress (of Ogle County) and the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org).
