Robert Speer

Robert Merle Speer, son of Joseph and Alta (Myers) Speer, was born February 27, 1920 in Hancock , Minnesota . Bob grew up in Stevens County and graduated from Cyrus High School in 1938. On November 4, 1942, he was united in marriage to Gladys Rabel. To this union two sons were born, Brian and David. In 1942, Bob enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving as a Sergeant in WWII. He received an honorable discharge in 1946. Following his discharge, Bob and Gladys lived in Rendsville Township , where they farmed and raised Purebred Registered Angus Cattle. Bob also worked at the ASC Office for 20 years and then at ARS for nine years. Gladys died in 1983. On August 3, 1985, Bob married Marjorie Watson Trost. The couple made their home in Donnelly until 2003, when they moved to Morris. When Bob’s health began failing, he moved to West Wind Village, and later to the Minnesota Veterans Home in Fergus Falls , where he continued to live until the time of his death.

Bob was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Donnelly. He was a lifetime member of the Angus Association and served on various boards: Stevens County Fair Board, School District #47 as Clerk and was a 4-H Leader. Bob was very proud of the piece of land that he donated to the State of Minnesota for conservation, which he helped build and develop. Every day he would walk it and see the progress that was made. Bob enjoyed spending time at Sax’s café and playing pinochle. He was also a fanatic sports fan, having played baseball as a young man. He was also a avid armchair politician and loved debating the issues. Bob loved to travel and saw most of the scenic wonders of the United States . He especially enjoyed the time he spent with family and friends.

Bob died on Thursday, November 19, 2009 at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Fergus Falls , Minnesota , having lived to reach the age of 89 years.

He is survived by his wife: Marjorie Speer of Morris; one son: Brian Speer of Helena, MT; one step-son: Tom (Marcella) Trost of New Richmond, WI; two step-daughters: Rebecca (Charles) Hennen of Morris and Jean Trost of Duvall, WA; ten grandchildren: Eric Speer, Cole Speer, Rachel (Jacob) Banta, Elizabeth Hennen, Mathew (Devon) Trost, Daniel (Melissa) Trost, Marissa Trost, Brandon Lawyer, Caitlin Lawyer and Dylan Lawyer; four great-grandchildren: Brooke Banta, Sophia Banta, Keegan Trost and Phoenyx Trost and one brother: Harland (Luetta) Speer of Brighton, CO. He was preceded in death by his first wife: Gladys Speer; one son: David Speer; two sisters: Marlys Grizzle and Alva Baumann and three brothers: Glenn, Paul and Errol Speer.

A private family service will be held. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements. Memorials will be used to plant a tree in Robert’s memory.