Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Obituary: Speck, Robert Wesley “Bob”

Age 90

SPECK, Robert Wesley “Bob” May 1, 1924 - August 8, 2014 Robert Wesley (Bob) Speck, born May 1st, 1924 in Spokane, Washington to Harold and Leila Speck, died peacefully after a long and arduous battle with Alzheimer disease, at Hospice House of Spokane.

Robert grew up in Spokane with his brothers Donald, Jack and Richard, and Sister Shirley.

He graduated from North Central High School in 1942 and immediately joined the Army Air Corps, serving as tail gunner in a B26 Marauder for the following four years across Europe.

When he returned home he attended Eastern Washington University where he met the love of his life and future wife Betty Minnie Monk.

Married and working two jobs, he attended and graduated from Gonzaga Law School He was then recruited by the FBI.

As a Special Agent he, Betty and family traveled the country, making friends wherever they went.

He had two sons, Thomas, Paul, and a daughter, Amy.

When he retired from the FBI he spent a summer managing Arrow Point Resort.

He then joined the Kootenai County Prosecutor’s Office as Deputy Prosecutor.

After six years there he won a seat as a State Representative where he was able to achieve the goals that he had set.

He declined a second run.

He then returned to the prosecutor’s office.

Throughout the years he was involved in the Catholic Church, Kiwanis Club, Toastmasters, teaching and playing duplicate bridge, and Habitat for Humanity.

He enjoyed gold mining, fishing and huckleberry picking.

He made fantastic jellies and jams that he loved to give away.

He was a talented writer and phenomenal storyteller.

Bob was an avid joke teller with a quick wit and a dry sense of humor.

He loved to sing.

He is most famous for his poetry recitation, especially Robert Service’s Cremation of Sam McGee.

Robert is survived by his brother Richard; sister Shirley; sons Thomas (Michele), and Paul (Jody); daughter Amy (Laurie); grandchildren Teresa, Victoria, Bethany, Carl and Scott; great-grandchildren Brandon, Boston and Benjamin Smith, and a myriad of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends.

He was deeply loved and will be very missed.

The family would like to thank Park Place and Clare Bridge for their exemplary care of Robert in his last years.

We would also like to thank Hospice of Spokane and the Hospice House for providing him comfortable, peaceful and pain free final days.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Alzheimer Association, Habitat for Humanity or Hospice of Spokane.

A service will be held on Saturday, August 23rd at 1pm at Saint Pius X Catholic Church, 625 E. Haycraft Ave., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.