Robert William Spear

1941 - 2016

Spear, Robert William
74, of Chandler, AZ passed away on February 16, 2016. Bob was born on May 5, 1941, in Meadville, PA, to John C. Spear and Marie E. Spear. He had four brothers: John (Jay), Roger (Skip), James (Jim), and Paul (Mickey).
Bob had always been active in Church. When he was 18, Bob went with his church group to Cuba for 6 weeks to help rebuild war-damaged houses. When Bob was 25 he met his wife, Dale Ann Powyszynski, at church and they were married on March 18, 1967. Bob spent 38 years in the cemetery industry. In 1972 he started as an office manager in the sales department at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, CA. Bob was Assistant Vice President/Director of Sales when he resigned from Rose Hills 22 years later. Bob and his wife moved to Chandler, AZ in 1994. He was employed at Green Acres Mortuary and Cemetery from 1994 until his retirement in 2009. Bob was active at AZ Community Church for 17 years, where he facilitated GriefShare and DivorceCare, and was a Stephen Minister and Lay Counselor. He also created a Caregivers Support Group and began Pastoral Care visitation. Bob is survived by his wife of 48 years, his son, Stephen Robert Spear (Iris), grandchildren Nathan and Kyra, and his daughter Patricia Diane Spear Lentz (Eric), and his Chihuahuas, Tio and Rosie. Services to be held Saturday, February 27, 2016, at Arizona Community Church in Tempe: Viewing: 9:30 - 10:30am, Service 10:30 - 11:30am, Reception: 11:30am - 1pm. Graveside service at 2pm at Green Acres Mortuary and Cemetery in Scottsdale, AZ. If desired, donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley at www.hov.org.