Robert Peckham

Family-Placed Death Notice

COL. ROBERT D. PECKHAM Col. Robert D. Peckham, 81, of Athens, GA died while on vacation in Des Moines, IA July 19, 2006. Bob, born in Villisca, IA, November 6, 1924, was the son of Howard D. Peckham and Alice Wright Peckham. The family moved to Swiss Home, OR where Bob graduated from high school and earned an appointment to West Point. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1947 and married Doris Galloway of Phillipsburg, NJ in 1949. Bob, commissioned Second Lieutenant in 1947, served in Japan, Korea, and Fort Campbell, KY in the Seventh Cavalry Regt. and the 89th and 76th Medium Tank Bn. In 1952 Bob was detailed to the Judge Advocate General's Corps, attended and graduated Harvard Law School in 1955. He was posted to SJA Section, Fort Dix, NJ 1955. Bob was next assigned to SETAF, Verona Italy 1956 as Chief of Italian Affairs, SJA Section and then to Livorno, Italy 1957-59 as the Command Judge Advocate, SETAF Support Command. He was then stationed at USMA, from 1959-63 where he taught law. Bob was next assigned as Deputy Judge Advocate US Forces Korea 1963-64. His last posting was in Charlottesville, VA to the JAG School 1964-68, where he retired from the Army as a Lt. Col. The family moved to Athens, GA in 1968 where Bob was employed by UGA School of Law, as Assistant Professor of Law and Director of Legal Aid and Defender Society. As such, under contract between UGA and Clarke County, he served as Public Defender and taught military law and criminal trial practices. He retired from UGA in 1986. Following retirement he served as Judge, Pro Tem, Magistrate's Court in Clarke County. He was a Counsel and Trustee, Georgia Federal/Military Coalition, and served on the Governor's Consumer Advisory Board through 2006. Bob's life was enriched by his love of music. He was a founding member of the Classic City Band, Athens, GA, and a member of Windjammers Unlimited, a circus music historical society. He was honored by Windjammers in 2000, being elected to their Hall of Fame. Bob was past president and member of the board of directors of both these organizations and continued to enjoy playing trombone with both groups until his death. Known as an avid reader, card player, and gourmet cook, Bob also enjoyed travel and did so extensively, remaining active until his death. He was predeceased by his wife Doris in 2002. Survivors include son, Richard Peckham of Athens; daughter and son-in-law, Nancy Peckham and Randy Gomez and grandchildren, Elizabeth and Emily Gomez, all of Tucker; and daughter-in-law, Arva Weinstein of Athens. Other survivors include his brothers, William T. Peckham of Eugene, OR; Herbert D. Peckham of Auburn, CA; and John H. Peckham of San Diego, CA. There will be a Memorial Service at Lord and Stephens Funeral Home (west) at 1 PM on Saturday, July 29. The family will receive friends at the residence, 195 Kingswood Drive, immediately after the service until 6 PM. Interment of the cremains for both Bob and Doris will be at USMA Cemetery in West Point, NY in October (date to be confirmed). The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the charity of your choice; the Classic City Band, c/o Thomas C. Cooper, 250 Clarkewoods Rd., Athens, GA 30607-1614 (www.athensclassiccityband.com); or Windjammers Unlimited c/o Mike Montgomery, 1204 Hobson Oaks CT., Naperville, IL 60540-8136, (www.circusmusic.org).