Robert (Bob) Speck

Robert E. (Bob) Speck passed away on November 1, 2010 with his family at his side. These high school sweethearts had been married for 56 years. He was born on February 24, 1933.

As an Air Force flight engineer for 20 years, Bob along with his wife, Billie, lived in Tennessee, Missouri, Wisconsin, New Jersey and Wichita Falls, Texas. In all locations there was much to be enjoyed and the history of the various areas thrilled the two of them as they traveled extensively. Perhaps the most enjoyable location was in the Far East on Okinawa for over four years. From there they traveled to Japan, Philippine Islands, Hong Kong, India, and Korea. On numerous isolation assignments to Vietnam, Bob was on various flights to respond to delivering rice and other items to the villagers and military assigned to the area.

It was while stationed on Okinawa that Bob and Billie were reached by the Honorable Judge Bill Logue to come to the states and become the parents of a special child, Richard. The return to Okinawa with the new baby lived on in the minds and hearts of many friends and family members. After reassignment to Wichita Falls, Charles and Suzanne also became the children of Bob and Billie. They often referred to their family as the “spare parts family” and it was a true love for the children and for each other that sustained this mighty couple through happy and sad times.

Bob’s trust in God helped shape his life. He also was nurtured and raised by a special Granny, Janie Speck in elm Mott. This upbringing by Granny also molded his character. He was a devout reader of the Holy Word and multiple Christian periodicals. He longed to visit the archeological sites by cancer robbed him of that joy.

Bob was an outstanding athlete in high school in football and track. He and a longtime friend, Wilburn Kirkland won multiple awards for La Vega School in track. He played in the football states finals in 1952 for his high school….collected every news article, program, and ribbon during the 1950-52 periods. In later years he gave that voluminous scrapbook to the school for display. Bob always thought of others first and himself second.

Having retired from the Air Force in mid 1970, his life was indelibly molded into Billie’s achievements as a hospital administrator. The next 25 years were spent in Houston, Birmingham Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Sweeny and Hamlin Texas. In 2004 the Specks returned to Waco from Houston to retire and enjoy the senior years. His devotion to Billie remained evident even though cancer and the medications to combat the multiple cancers left him nearly helpless.

Bobs long battle of over two and ½ years ended with devotion and attendance by the Providence Hospice program of excellent nurses and attendants. His death ended his unconditional love for this family except for the requirement of trust and a total commitment.

A memorial service honoring Bob will be held on Saturday, November 6, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. at Grace Gardens Funeral Home Chapel with Mr. Mitchell Parrish presiding along with Kip Osborne. His cremated remains will be placed in the Johnson Plat in Mt. Calm, Mt. Antioch Cemetery at a private service for the family. The family will be at the Speck residence at 2300 Starr Drive, Waco.

Survivors are Billie, Richard of Waco, Charles and Trish of Belton, and Suzanne speck of McGregor, grandsons Alex and Korben Nichols of Belton and two granddaughters Anna and Carly of Belton, Texas. He is survived by Annie Johnson Wily of Missouri, Sarah and Paul Cole of Houston, Zelda and Richard Cooper of Waco, Martha Johnson Steadman of Katy, Jeannie Bongard Johnson of Waco, and Madge and George Johnson of Ft. Worth.

Honorary pallbearers will be sisters-in-love Zelda Johnson Cooper, Annie Johnson Wiley, Sarah Johnson Lee Cole, Martha Johnson Steadman and dear Friends Betty Moses Kirkland, Connie Dianne Farris Nelson and Patricia Hite Lindley.

The family requests that any remembrances be made to the MD Anderson Cancer Center, Genito-Urology Research at 1515 Holcomb, Houston, Texas 77030-4009.