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CPHHS mourns the loss of beloved college supporter

A visionary, an activist, a role model, a giver and a Beaver believer, Barbara Peck ’32 will be remembered as a true supporter of those who loved her, including CPHHS faculty, staff, students and alumni.

Barbara Peck (left) poses with CPHHS student Samantha Beem (middle), who received the Barbara B. Peck Scholarship, and CPHHS Dean Tammy Bray (right).
Barbara Peck (left) poses with CPHHS student Samantha Beem (middle), who received the Barbara B. Peck Scholarship, and CPHHS Dean Tammy Bray (right).

A visionary, an activist, a role model, a giver and a Beaver believer, Barbara Peck ’32 will be remembered as a true supporter of those who loved her, including College of Public Health and Human Sciences faculty, staff, students and alumni.

A long-time college supporter, Barbara died Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2014, surrounded by her family. She was 105 years young.

Barbara earned a bachelor’s degree in Home Economics in 1932 and has since remained an integral part in the advancement of the college and its alumni.

Through the endowed Barbara B. Peck Scholarship, awarded at the college’s annual Celebration of Excellence, her generosity has paid for countless students’ tuition, books and conferences.

Barbara-Peck-teaching-license
Barbara Peck and daughter Susan Peck Hall pose with the teaching license Dean Tammy Bray presented to Barbara in 2009.

“I will forever remember her smile and her warm, loving hugs,” says CPHHS Dean Tammy Bray. “Watching her surrounded by the recipients of her scholarship wanting photos with her was the most popular moment during our annual Celebration of Excellence. I am very saddened by her passing, but the tremendous impact she made on our students will live on.”

With a lifetime full of accomplishments, this centenarian’s contributions to overall health and well-being spanned across Oregon.

In 2009, Dean Bray awarded Barbara with her teaching license, an award reserved for single women in the ’30s. Barbara and Norton Peck married while she was a student at Oregon State, known then as the Oregon State Agricultural College.

She volunteered for 55 years at the American Red Cross, helped establish the school lunch program as the school lunch chairman for the Oregon Congress of Parents and Teachers (PTA), earned the title of “Queen Barbara” in the ’60s after leading the Delphian Society women’s group to save the Pittock Mansion in Portland and helped establish the Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District in Washington County.

“I looked around, and except for some pool halls, I didn’t see any place in Beaverton where young people could meet,” Barbara was quoted saying in the Beaverton Valley Times in February 2009. “I wanted to create a healthy environment for my children and others.”

CPHHS students pose with Barbara Peck at her 101st birthday celebration.
CPHHS students pose with Barbara Peck at her 101st birthday celebration.

Barbara is survived by her three children, Donald Peck, Roger Peck and Susan Peck Hall.

Services for Barbara are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, at Bethel Congregational United Church of Christ in Beaverton, Oregon.