Richard Louis Speer of Chatham, formerly of Concord, passed away peacefully on November 23, 2024. Born in 1936 in Flushing, New York, he was the oldest son of the late Dr. Francis Davis Speer and Eleanor Speer. He was predeceased by his brother, John Speer and his first wife, Elizabeth Kimnach of Concord. He is survived by his daughter Deborah Speer Watson and son Robert Ogilvie Speer and his wife Nora Speer; grandchildren Emily Watson, Jack Speer, Kendra Watson, and Cole Speer; and Richard’s sister Linda Diez.
Richard graduated from Bayside (N.Y.) High School in 1954, earned his bachelor’s in mechanical engineering in 1959 at the University of Vermont and served four years in the Army, commissioned as a first lieutenant.
Richard had a long management career in the computer division at Honeywell, where he met his second wife, Mary Hart (later divorced). He retired from Honeywell in 1990. His favorite pastimes were gardening, skiing, winter paddle tennis, woodworking, birdwatching, and being on the water, fishing. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, which he kept throughout his life.
He will be privately laid to rest at the National Cemetery in Bourne. To share a remembrance or offer condolences in his online guestbook, visit nickersonfunerals.com. To honor Richard, in lieu of flowers, you may make a memorial donation made out to “Mass Audubon Cape Cod” and mail to Mass Audubon, 208 S. Great Road, Lincoln, MA 01773, or via massaudubon.org.
