The Albuquerque Journal has published Jack Speer’s obituary notice. Full text appears behind the cut.
[Thanks to Patricia Rogers for the link.]
SPEER — John B. Speer, 87, also known as Jack, died at home, Saturday, June 28, 2008. He is survived by his wife, Myrtle Ruth Speer; daughter, Margaret Ann Abercrombie both of Albuquerque; son, Edward Speer and wife, Debra of Redding, CA; grandchildren, Jessica and Joseph Abercrombie of Corrales and Sierra and Cameron Speer of Redding, CA; sister, Martha Eskridge of Tulsa; nieces and nephews, Judy Ferguson, Walter Eskridge, Marian Sexton, James Paul Speer III, Ann Ashliman, Jeffrey Speer and George Speer; sisters-in-law, Dikki Speer of Alpine, TX and Helen Mitchell; brother-in-law, Robert Cox of Eugene, OR; and Swiss exchange student, Tom Flueler. Jack was preceded in death by his brothers, James Paul Speer II and Louis Kincaid Speer. He received his B.A. degree from George Washington University and after WWII his LLB from the University of Washington. During WWII he worked for the Lend Lease Administration as an administrative aide for the American Food Mission to French North Africa. During his lifetime, he was a registered parliamentarian; wrote a history of early science fiction fandom and the Fancyclopedia; and created a true-to-history civil war game. He was called “one of the pioneer historians of fandom,” by SF author Harry L. Warner, Jr. Jack was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the Albuquerque Parliamentary Unit, the Science Fiction Society, the N.M. Space Society, New Mexicans for Science & Reason, Tennis Club of Albuquerque and the Exchange Club. Services will be held Tuesday, July 8, 2008, 10:30 a.m. at French Mortuary, University Chapel. Interment will take place at Santa Fe National Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. French Mortuary 1111 University Blvd. NE (505) 843-6333 www.frenchmortuary.com
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It’s a bit odd that his membership in the Tennis Club of Albuquerque made it into his obit, but not his time as a member of the Washington State House of Representatives. Granted, he may have himself placed a higher value on the former, but still.
I once asked Jack about his experiences as a state representative, but he just sort of shrugged. As he only served one term, perhaps he just considered himself not cut out to be a career politician. But it would have been interesting to know his experiences working with his fellow representatives who included such future major stars of state politics as Dan Evans, Joel Pritchard, and Slade Gorton.