Dr. Alfred J. Speckens Jr.

IN LOVING MEMORY OF DR. ALFRED J. SPECKENS, JR. APRIL 13, 1917 - MAY 16, 2005 On Monday, May 16, 2005, Dr. Alfred J. Speckens, Jr. passed away in Scottsdale, Arizona, He was a Turlock native and former long time resident. Dr. Al Speckens passed away at the age of 88.

Dr. Speckens was born in San Francisco, CA at St. Luke's Hospital on April 13, 1917, to Alfred J. Speckens Sr. and Cora Bertha Mepham Speckens. He was an only child. Though Al had begun his life in San Francisco, he grew up mainly in the Stockton and Turlock area.

Al began his parochial education in San Francisco and Stockton schools. He later attended Stockton High School for a short time and graduated from Turlock High School in 1935. During his school years, Al participated in track, swimming and basketball. Some of the things Al enjoyed most were his friends, his car, sports and of course, girls. His first car was a Model A Ford.

He went to Modesto Junior College; he then was off to St. Mary's College in Moraga, CA. After deciding to follow in the footsteps of his step- father Dr. Charles Preston French, a local Turlock dentist, Al attended The College of Physicians and Surgeons in San Francisco, CA that at the time was then affiliated with Stanford University, which later became University of the Pacific School of Dentistry in Stockton, CA. Al graduated in 1943 with B.S. & D.D.S.

In late 1942, while attending dental school in San Francisco, he went by to see his fellow classmate Dr. James Tackney who just happened to be working on a female patient. The lovely young woman obliviously caught Al's attention, even though her mouth was wide open and full of cotton. Al later inquired to his friend as to who the young lady was.

He learned that she was Frances Angela Conchete, of Italian and Irish heritage, daughter of Frances and Leland Conchete from Stockton, CA, and that she was a nurse at Mount Zion Hospital in San Francisco. Al proposed to Fran at a party on New Year's Eve, at the home of his dear friend Dr. Tackney. Thank you, Dr. Tackney.

Al and Frans' courtship lasted approximately six months. They were married May 2nd, 1943 at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Turlock.

Al joined the Army reserve as 2nd Lt. in the Medical Administrative Corp for one year and when called into active duty went in as 1st Lt. He received the rank of Captain six months later.

His first chance at practicing dentistry in Turlock lasted only three hours, when he received the Greetings notice in the mail at 11:00 a.m. that day in 1943. He entered into the military on May 27, 1943 shortly after his marriage to Fran. Al was able to practice his profession while in the Army by serving in the United States Dental Corps. He was stationed at Fort Douglas Post, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Fort Lewis, Washington. After the war ended and until his discharge Al served as Prosthodontist at Fort Logan, Colorado, and Jefferson Barracks, Missouri.

During his time in the war Al and Fran were blessed with two children. Alfred Joseph Speckens III was born, then Marianne Frances Speckens. Then in 1956, they were surprised by another child, daughter, Kathleen Margaret. (Kelly) Speckens.

He returned to Turlock with his family in 1946 after being discharged from the service and resumed his dental practice with his stepfather, Dr. C.P. French, in an office on the second floor of the old Mercantile Building on West Main Street.

In 1949 he built a dental office at 315 Crane Avenue, which is still located at the corner of South Center Street and Crane Avenue, the former site of the Old Crane Home.

During the mid 1960's Al decided try his hand at farming, which was something that seemed to run in the family for many generations. His great grandfather Victor Speckens came to America from Belgium in the late 1840's. Victor became a viticulturist and had some of the earliest grape vineyards in Santa Clam County. Al and his family moved to Denair, CA when Al purchased two ranches. He and his son farmed together, first growing wine grapes, then adding nectarines and almonds to the mix. They even made their own wine. This was something Al thoroughly enjoyed, and passed on the love of farming to his son and daughter Kelly, who later married a farmer.

Al practiced dentistry in Turlock until hanging up his drill for the last time in 1981, when he retired and sold his practice to Dr. Michael Ratto, who is still there today.

He saw a lot of changes in his profession and Turlock over the years. As the years passed, people began to value the health care of their mouths. No longer was it the Old 'Fill 'Em 'n' Pull Em attitude. When Al started, there were only five dentists in Turlock. At the time of his retirement in 1981, Turlock had 25 or 26 dentists. Retiring was one of the hardest decisions he ever had to make.

Al was president of the Yosemite District Dental Society in 1952. He was a Life Member of the American Dental Society, and a Life Member of the California Dental Association.

Upon retiring, he and Fran enjoyed traveling in their motor home, as well as spending time with their children and grandchildren. They purchased a second home in Eureka, CA and spent a lot of time on their boat fishing for salmon and albacore. When there, he would smoke and can their catches of salmon and albacore, as many will remember. Once you had a taste of their's, regular tuna never compared.

A1 had always been an avid sportsman. He enjoyed time spent hunting, fishing, bowling, golfing and trap and skeet shooting with his son Al and numerous friends from different areas throughout the states. He and his son were both members of the California Indians and the Shoshone Indians, Past President of the Turlock Sportsman's Club, Honorary Member of the Castle Air Force Base Trap and Skeet Club and Chairman of the Turlock Chapter of Duck's Unlimited, Turlock Exchange Club, and the Turlock Bowling Association. In his spare time he also enjoyed golfing as a long time member of the Turlock Golf and Country Club.

Al's wife Fran, of almost 42 years, passed away unexpectedly January 9, 1985 at the young age of 65.

Dr. Speckens was active in the Turlock Community until his move to Scottsdale, Arizona in 1988. Al was chairman of the District Boy Scouts of Stanislaus County, the Turlock area for one year. He was Past President of the 20/30 Club. He spent eight years on the Stanislaus County Parks Commission, with one year as chairman, Life Member of the Knights Of Columbus, Member: Scared Heart Catholic Church in Turlock.

Al joined the Turlock Rotary Club in 1963. {Classification - Prosthodontist} He served on the board as Vocational Director, carry over as Club Director. He started the club Auction, started two additional Clubs, became active in District Level I in 1983, as Governors' Aid, and the next year was Special Representative for Jerry Barden.

He was a recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow Award from the club in Hughson he helped form. His greatest assignment was when Governor Dan Walker appointed him Area Coordinator for Polio Plus, with nine clubs to oversee. The reward for three years work was over $550,000.00 for Polio Plus.

After 17 years of service in the Scottsdale, Arizona Clubs, Districts 5220 and 5510 Al was recognized as a Centennial Elder Statesman with a grand total of 42 years spent as a Rotarian.

Dr. Speckens leaves behind three children and seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren; son Alfred J. Speckens, daughter-in-law Joanne J. Speckens, grandson Alfred J. Speckens IV, great granddaughter Kylie Speckens, grandson Christopher M. Speckens, Melanie and great grandson's Brockand Austin, grandson Mare A. Speckens, Brandi Matos, great grandchildren, Hailey and Caden Speckens, all of Turlock; daughter Marianne Frances Speckcns Davis of Scottsdale, Arizona, granddaughter Stasia A. Davis, great grandchildren Hillary and Harrison