In loving memory of
Robert Peck

• February 17, 1928
• -
• June 23, 2020

To the Family of Robert Newton Peck: My deepest sympathy on the passing of Mr. Peck. I was poking through some tools today and saw my hammer, its handle worn and weary, like the handles of his father's tools that Robert notices after the funeral service in 'A Day No Pigs Would Die.' In my English Language Arts class, I would bring out my tired little hammer and show the students, to make the passage in the novel concrete and personal. Then we got the idea to write to Mr. Peck, to ask him some questions about the book and the characters. Bless his heart, not too long after, a reply arrived to our little school in Canada, a reply full of reflection, honesty, and humility. The students were touched that someone famous would write to us, to 'talk' to us about his work. So I came to the internet, wondering how the true-life story of Robert Newton Peck was going along, and I saw the news of his passing. I will cherish my memories of sharing his book with my students and of his caring response to our queries. May you be spared further sorrows.

I had just found out about your passing today. Thank you Rob for entertaining me with your wonderful books throughout my youth. In 4th grade, Soup In The Saddle was a Sequoyah book award nominee which I read twice and voted for. I even wrote to you that year which you wrote back. The letter is still located in the school archives. I am now a teacher with my own copies of some your books which I rescued from an old library. May peace be with you and your family.

I am so grateful and proud to have know him and sung with him at many a party

May you now sing with the angels and let us know every once in a while that you are still here with us!

Go with God my friend!

Robert Newton Peck: Greatness In Our Midst
Following my Rollins graduation in 1977, I was asked if there were two Rollins guests I wanted to include in
my graduation celebration dinner at Maison et Jardin in Altamonte Springs, Fl. One was Wilbur Dorsett, a Rollins
Shakespearean Scholar. Another was Robert Newton Peck's Rollins mentor, legendary Rollins Creative Writing
professor, Ed Granberry.

On one of the greatest days in his life, Robert Newton Peck and I were walking across the Rollins campus
as he lamented the fact that Ed Granberry deserved much more recognition than he had received. As we entered
the Rollins Crummer Business School building, Rob asked me to wait for a few moments as he disappeared into an
office to use a phone. The next thing I knew, Robert Newton Peck reappeared in the Crummer hallway and joyfully
exclaimed to the only individual within earshot, "This writer just became a millionaire!"

Credited with launching the young adult novel genre with considerable commercial success, Robert Newton Peck,
gave very generously of his time and wrote to rave reviews nationwide. Using a Stetson hat and western wear to
differentiate himself from the other writers out there; and choosing a mentor, Ed Granberry, who used to let Sinclair Lewis substitute teach his Rollins Creative Writing class, Rob Peck blazed an inimitable trail of his own. Intensely personal,
often semi-autobiographical, and more than worthy of the highest literary praise possible.



Will Graves

Rob will be so missed by my husband and me. It’s was a bit extra special relationship as my husband and Rob shared the same Birthday, leading to many shared birthday celebrations in Longwood. Rob entertained us all but most of all, was a most loving husband to my friend, Sharon. Thinking of you Sharon and Anne. Xoxo Beverly and Allan.