Robert C. Specker

December 11, 1942 ‐ April 21, 2022

On Thursday, April 21, 2022, Robert C., Specker, loving husband and father of two, passed away at age 79.

Born December 11th, 1942 in Indianapolis, he moved to Lakewood, Ohio. Graduating from Lutheran West High School in 1960, he went on to graduate from Ohio University in 1965. Drafted into the army in 1966, he was honorably discharged in 1968.

While attending Ohio University he met his wife of 43 years, Janice (Lehman) Specker, on the tennis courts. Upon her graduation, and after their wedding, Robert joined General Electric and worked in Louisville, Philadelphia, and finally settling in Scotia, New York, to work at the Schenectady GE main plant for many years within the Steam Turbine Division. Raising two children, Bob was always involved with their sports and theater programs. Serving as a mentor for hundreds of teens in the Capital District area, he was involved with Junior Achievement for more than 30 years. His love for computers began well before Apple IIC’s, which he would tear apart and show the inner workings at the local Apple Club. He would build his own computers and attempt to teach his own children to do the same. A handyman, he taught his children to work on their own cars, changing many tires over the years and finishing quite a few oil changes. An avid traveler, Bob and Jan drove, flew and cruised around the world. They drove across the country four times finding every National and State park along the way and so eventually visited all 50 states and numerous foreign countries in Europe, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. 

Leaving Schenectady and relocating back to Ohio, he took a number of positions within the GE Lighting Division. Working around Ohio and Illinois, he eventually was offered early retirement at 55. Quickly getting bored, he took on several different jobs including teaching computers to seniors, and school guarding in Bay Village. In his later years he would travel to California to visit Beth’s family and their neighbor Joan. Bob and Joan formed a strong bond over the last ten years.  Bob was well known by his neighbors and their kids for always offering a chipper smile and hearty hello while sitting on his front porch.

Preceded in death by his wife Janice, brother Bill, parents Robert & Mildred, he is survived by his daughter Elizabeth, son Jeffrey, grandson Jacob, brother John, sisters Susan and Joy, and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Future memorial services are planned for Gethsemane Lutheran Church in North Jackson, Ohio, at a date to be determined. Internment of the ashes will then take place in a private ceremony at Walnut Hill Methodist Church in Columbus where he will join his wife in eternal slumber in the hands of God.

 

In lieu of flowers or gifts please donate to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s research.  https://www.michaeljfox.org/donate

 

 

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