Wayne L. Peay, a former chairman of the RV Dealers Association, passed away at 93 of natural causes at his home in Corrales, N.M., on Jan. 16.
A U.S. Navy veteran, Peay went to school to become an orthodontist, a career he enjoyed for two decades. From his obituary posted on the RVDA website:
“He loved the outdoors and often took the family fishing to mountain lakes in Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado. His first travel trailer was an Airstream. There wasn’t enough room for everyone inside, so the two oldest kids slept outside in a tent. To accommodate the family, after a few years he traded for a fold down camping trailer. He loved being in the mountains.
“He was always connected with the outdoors and the RV lifestyle. So much so that in 1975 he sold his orthodontic practice of 20 years and purchased an RV dealership.
In October 1975 Wayne’s Recreational Vehicles was born. In short time Wayne became active in the RVDA, where he served as president from 1980 to 1981.
“He continued to operate the dealership until his retirement in 1991. During those years he made many lasting friendships and traveled all over the country and the world with other dealer principals and their spouses. He forged strong friendships through his RVDA and 20 Group association with early RV industry leadership icons. These friends gave him insight and guidance in the RV business for many years. He would want to thank them and others that helped in his success.”
