ROBERT C. SPEAKER

ROBERT CHRISTIAN SPEAKER (Age 73)  
Resident of Washington, DC, died peacefully on August 20, 2015, at his vacation home in Chincoteague, VA. Bob had bravely and gracefully endured brain cancer over the prior year.Bob was a life-long gardener, a student and steward of our natural world, and an enthusiastic traveler. Bob was a native of Neptune, NJ, where he earned his gardening credentials early, assisting with the small family farm as a child and then toiling in commercial blueberry fields as a teenager. Bob enjoyed a long and active retirement, filled with family, friends and his passions. He was a volunteer of nearly 15 years with the Washington Youth Garden at the National Arboretum where he was known as "Butterfly Bob". In 2007, Bob was recognized as a WETA Hometown Hero for his efforts.Nine years ago, Bob initiated an independent project with grandson Christian to restore native habitat to a portion of the Ma and Pa Trail in Harford County, MD, with a focus on plants attractive to butterflies. Bob's work recently culminated with the trail being designated as an official partner of the Baltimore Checkerspot Recovery Team and thus a potential site for re-introduction of the state-endangered Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly.Bob retired from the U.S. Census Bureau in 1993 after nearly 30 years, specializing in residency rules and reapportionment issues. He was a graduate of Miami University of Ohio.Bob is survived by his wife of 19 years, Amy Bishton; son Christopher Speaker of Owings, MD; daughter Francine Speaker of Oxon Hill, MD; son Jesse Speaker of Essex, MD; grandchildren Christopher Jr., Hannah, Christian, Ellie, and Abby. Also surviving are sisters Lois Speaker of Peachtree City, GA, and Ruth Sloan of Columbus, OH; brother Richard Speaker of Costa Rica; many cousins, nieces and nephews; and a multitude of loving in-laws.Memorial contributions may be made to the Washington Youth Garden, 3501 New York Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002 or the Chincoteague Cultural Alliance, PO Box 257, Chincoteague, VA 23336.An informal memorial service will be held on October 24, 2015 in Chincoteague, VA.