Herbert Henry Specker

Herbert Specker Obituary

Herbert Henry Specker, 95 05/11/1915 ~ 11/16/2010 FALLBROOK -- Herbert Henry Specker passed away on Tuesday, November 16, 2010, in Fallbrook, Calif., his home of 30 years. Upon his retirement from Arthur H. Newman Brothers Construction Co. in Des Moines, Iowa, Herb wasted no time moving himself and his wife Betty, away from the winter snows to his dream retirement spot. In Fallbrook, Herb enjoyed golf, card games, social dancing, volunteering at the Senior Center, and long walks to "oversee" construction of the final segment of I-15 through the adjacent valley. He had major heart repairs as needed to keep up his active lifestyle, including a second marriage to Maye Murphy Leffler, and a third to Laurie Skelton Specker, who survives him. Other survivors include four children, Wayne (Deannea) of Minneapolis, Minn.; Gary (Sue) of Minneapolis, Minn.; Steve (Jan) of Scottsdale, Ariz.; and Mary (John) of Scottsdale, Ariz.; and a step-daughter, Susan Skelton of Aliso Viejo, Calif.; nine grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and one great-great- grandchild. He was preceded in death by his first and second wives, and by his grandson Stephen Wayne Specker. Born on May 11, 1915 to Fannie Isabel (Snyder) and George Henry Specker, Herb was raised in Ree Heights, S.D., graduating from high school in the midst of the dust bowl and Great Depression, when job prospects were bleak. He followed a friend to Iowa State College in Ames, where he carved meat in the dining hall to pay for his engineering studies. Upon graduating, he married Betty Kennedy Paine, his hometown sweetheart, took a job with the same company he would eventually retire from, began a family, and contributed his engineering expertise to the war effort. An enthusiast of cars and boats, and an avid bowler, Herb was also active in civic and church affairs, and most recently was a member of the Fallbrook United Methodist Church, to which memorial contributions may be sent. A family graveside service will be held in Pierre, SD. Sign the Guest Book online obits.nctimes.com

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Published by North County Times on Nov. 21, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Herbert Specker

6 Entries

Margaret Harding

December 10, 2010

Steve, Received a notice from friends at Iowa State of your loss. I want to express my condolences to you and your family.

Tom & Kathy

November 22, 2010

Mary and John and family, We want to express our deepest sympathies to you. You know you are in our thoughts and prayers . We share with you in the celebration of your dad's life and legacy. I am so grateful your family settled you on E 31st Court for our early years together!

November 18, 2010

Gary:

Received a message from Dick Finney about your father's death. Otherwise, might not have known as we only receive the Friday and weekend editions of the paper.

You may remember that I lived at 1305 York Street, just two houses from Garfield.

I lost my mother in July of this year at the age of 99 years and 2 months. Even though she had a long and healthy life until nearly the end, you still are not ready to give them up. However, I know she is now out of pain and in a much better place.

Accept my condolences and may God give you peace and comfort in the coming months.

Sincerely,
Linda Vander Kolk McPherson
A member of the Class of '60 and a grad of Wallace, Amos and East

November 18, 2010

Wayne, Gary, Steve and family.....likewise, it has been a LONG time since we last saw each other, and I am saddened to read of your father's death. We lived on east 13th, just north of Jefferson and have many fond memories of the York/ Jefferson area...Jack Borg, Krammes, etc. My brother , Dick, in Des Moines sent me the obituary. You are all in our thoughts. Larry Finney EHS 1958

November 18, 2010

Gary,

I'm sorry to read of your Father's death this week; we're never quite ready to lose them even though your Dad was 95 and mine was 92 when he passed away in April this year. They both lived their lives to the fullest.

It was a joy to see you again after 50 years, to meet Sue and to hear about your family. Please accept my condolences on your loss.

Sincerely, Mary Skinner Engdahl
Class of 60 and fellow grad of Wallace, Amos and East

John Wheatley

November 18, 2010

I am sorry to read about Herb's death. Though it's been a long time since we knew you and your folks in DM, the memories still exist. I recall the house on York (?) in which you lived. And though we've all gone on and established our own lives, it still takes me back whenever I read of the death of someone from my childhood.

My condolences to you all.

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