Herbert E Speece

Herbert Elvin Speece died on October 14, 2010 at Springmoor retirement Home. He was born on October 28, 1914 in Meadowlands, Minnesota. He met and married his wife Ruth in 1945 while serving in the US Army.

Herbert was preceded in death by his son Ray Elvin Speece and six brothers and sisters.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth Speece of Springmoor; a daughter, Deborah Sykes and her husband Steve of Raleigh; a brother, Ralph Speece of Mountain View, California; a daughter-in-law, Sherry Speece Royer of Galveston, Texas; a granddaughter, Michelle Narum; and great grandchildren Allie and Julian also of Texas.

Dr. Speece graduated from York College in 1938 with a degree in mathematics. He earned a Masters Degree from TCU in 1943 and a Masters of Engineering Math from NCSU in 1951. He received a joint Doctorate degree from NCSU and UNC in mathematics in 1956.

Dr. Speece began teaching at NCSU in 1947 and retired in 1980. He served as the department head of Math and Science Education at his retirement. Dr. Speece served the university after his retirement and with his wife established the Herbert and Ruth Speece scholarship fund in math education for worthy students with teaching aspirations. He was recognized by the university as an outstanding alumnus and received numerous other service and teaching awards.

He was a lifelong educator and met with students from the university only days before his death. He was known for his joyful laugh, warm demeanor, and zest for life. He was the lover of anything NC State and storyteller extraordinaire.

A memorial service for Dr. Speece will be held on Sunday, October 17, 2010 at 3:00 PM in the Springmoor Auditorium, 1500 Sawmill Road, Raleigh, NC 27615.

Dr. Speece was an active member of Fairmont United Methodist Church for over 50 years and often taught Sunday school.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Fairmont United Methodist Church, 2501 Clark Ave., Raleigh, NC 27607-7299, Herbert and Ruth Speece Scholarship Fund at NC State Alumni Association, Box 7503, NCSU, Raleigh, NC 27695-7503, or the Springmoor Endowment fund, 1500 Sawmill Rd., Raleigh, NC 27615.

Memorials can be made at www.brownwynne.com.