EDWARD R. SPECK, Jr. Edward R. Speck, Jr., was born on March 28, 1922 and passed away on Sept. 19, 2010 at Kadlec Medical Center, Richland, Washington from complications resulting from his failing heart condition and pneumonia.

Ed was born in the small town of Marcus, Washington, which is north of Spokane, WA, and is close to the Canadian border. There he attended grade school which was a very advanced grade school for a small town. His parents moved to Spokane where he attended high school. He joined the U.S. Army Air Corp. during WW II and was an instrument trainer. After receiving an honorable discharge he attended Washington State University in Pullman, WA and earned a degree in Fine Art. He then went to Richland and worked on the Hanford project as an illustrator. There he met his wife, Marion. After working on the Hanford project he left to teach Technical Illustration at Columbia Basin College in Pasco, Washington. During that time he earned a Masters degree from Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA. After leaving Columbia Basin College, he went back to work as an illustrator on the Hanford project.

What he did in his "Off Time": First - Fly his airplane! He started flying when he was 16 years old and piloted his own plane until he was 84 years old. He also flew other planes and loved being at any airport. Second - He created paintings in all types of media. He was featured at galleries in Maui Hawaii, Reno Nevada and other galleries. He attended the National Air Races in Reno for 18 to 20 years and always had a different set of paintings of the planes racing that year. Addi Galleries in Reno featured them in their Gallery. He enjoyed many vacations on the the Pacific Northwest coast, in Marion's home state of Minnesota and in Hawaii. He also had a wonderful trip exploring Europe.

Ed was preceded in the death by his parents, Edward R. Speck Sr. and Edna Mae Speck.

He is survived by his wife, Marion.

One or the other must leave. One or the other must stay One or the other must grieve, That is forever the way.

That is the vow that was sworn, Faithful 'til death do us part. Braving what had to be borne, Hiding the ache in the heart.

One, howsoever adored First must be summed away That is the will of the Lord, One or the other must stay.

To Dr. Megna, his staff and Kadlec Medical Center Staff, We wish to thank you for all of the wonderful care you gave Ed. He truly appreciated every one of you as did his family.

Because of conditions preceding his long illness and eventual death: There will be no funeral service. His ashes will be dropped from an airplane over Ice Harbor dam. That was where he flew when returning to his plane's home base at the Pasco Airport in front of the Bergstrom Aircraft bldg.

A casual memorial service luncheon for family & friends: Will be on held Saturday, Oct. 16, 2110 at the Hanford House Red Lion in Richland, WA from 11: 30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Come and join us!

Any Memorials: To Richland Lutheran Church 901 Van Giesen 99354 in Edward Speck's name.