RICHMOND – It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Barry David Peck on July 8, 2023, at the age of 86.
David was a loving family man, a successful businessman, a civic leader in Richmond, a pillar of the Jewish community, and a creative spirit.
Peck was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on May 17, 1937, to Bess and Julius Peck. He always described an idyllic upbringing in Portsmouth, Virginia with brothers Stanley and Aaron, and sister Hilda (Honey). He attended Woodrow Wilson High School, and then Columbia University, where he graduated with a degree in English in 1959.
After college, Peck returned to Virginia, where he married Rosann Chasen, and together they had four children: Jill, Daniel, Mitchell, and Joshua.
While serving in the U.S. Army Reserve, Peck began his professional life as a “junk man” working at Peck Iron & Metal, a scrap metal recycling company founded by his father. Peck moved to Richmond in 1970 and launched a career that would be marked by continual innovation. He designed the company’s 100-acre facility, installed one of the country’s first automobile “shredders” to accommodate steel mills’ growing demand for the recycled product, and purchased decommissioned ships from the U.S. Navy to dismantle them for their scrap value. He was proud to manage a diverse workforce of more than 200 employees, including refugees and immigrants, many of whom he developed into highly-skilled senior managers. Peck sold the company in 1997 and transitioned into commercial real estate with The Peck Company.
Peck was an active participant in Richmond civic life. He and Rosann worked for many candidates and eventual leaders of the city and the state. Over the years, he served with distinction the Port of Richmond Commission, Metropolitan Economic Development Council, Norfolk State University Board of Visitors, and the Virginia-Israel Advisory Board.
Peck was a devoted member of the Richmond Jewish community. He chaired the annual campaign for the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond and was instrumental in the development and growth of Chabad of Virginia. For decades, he worshiped at the early morning service at Keneseth Beth Israel. He was an ardent Zionist; in 1991, Peck flew alone to Israel in an act of solidarity as Iraq was launching missiles at the country.
Peck was a Renaissance man with a wide range of interests, a creative spirit, and endless curiosity. He was an avid reader and a talented writer, artist, singer, and sculptor.
Following the loss of his wife Rosann after 30 years of marriage, he enjoyed spending time with his longtime companion, Patti Lancaster.
Peck was a kind and compassionate man who instinctively put others before himself and was always willing to help those in need. Peck was forever bringing a smile to those in his presence with his humor and uncommon solicitousness.
Inspired greatly by his own parents, he himself was a loving husband and father, and a doting grandfather to his four granddaughters.
Peck was a true mensch who will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and those who were fortunate to have him in their lives.
He is survived by two brothers, Stanley (Norfolk) and Aaron (Virginia Beach), his sons Daniel (Clifton, N.J.), Mitchell (Venice, Caif.), and Joshua (Richmond), his daughters-in-law Rachel and Suzanne, and his granddaughters Adina, Lilah, Rachel, and Sophia.
A funeral service was held at Greenwood Memorial Gardens, Richmond, with a reception following at the Chabad of Virginia, Richmond.
The family requests that donations be made to Keneseth Beth Israel or the Chabad of Virginia.