NORMAN THOMAS SPECK
1922-2018
Norman Thomas “Beetle” Speck was born in Houston, Texas September 26, 1922, the second child of Dr. Bruno Johannes Speck and Emma nee Drachenberg Speck. Norman passed away peacefully on October 21, 2018 at the age of 96 at his home and was taken to the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Hospital for pronouncement. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Mary Ellen Speck Dyer.
As a child, Norman attended Houston’s Christ Church E&R and became a Boy Scout and Sea Scout achieving the rank Eagle Scout. He attended the first Boy Scout National Jamboree in 1937, held in Washington DC. He was one of the first graduates of Houston’s Steven F. Austin High School where he earned the name “Speedy” on the cross-country track squad, graduating in 1940. He then matriculated to Rice University prior to entering Houston Dental College (the precursor to the University of Texas Dental School in Houston) receiving his DDS in 1945. Upon receiving his commission as a Captain in the U.S. Army during World War II and reporting to his station in El Paso, Norman married Joy Lee “Hobby” Savage on August 31, 1946. Upon honorable discharge from active duty in 1948, Norman continued his dental education by enrolling in the Orthodontic Program at the University of Illinois in Chicago, graduating June, 1950.
Norman had a long and distinguished academic and professional career: As a 50year member of the Greater Houston District Dental Society, he served in a variety of positions including President (1964-65) and Board Director (1965-68). He was a Member of the University of Illinois Orthodontic Alumni Association, the Edward H. Angle Society of Orthodontics and the Charles H. Tweed Orthodontic Study Group.
He served in a variety of community positions including the Board of Governors of The Doctors’ Club of Houston. Norman retired from active orthodontic practice at the age of 92 having practiced for 65 years and delivered smiles to the faces of thousands of Houstonians.
Second to his beloved wife “Hobby” and his orthodontic profession, Norman was an avid horticulturist and spent time on his 250-acre ranch named the “S-X” in Waller County. Together with his sons he planted over 11 acres of pecan trees, 175 acres of pine trees, and grew seasonal vegetables for friends, family and patients.
He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Joy Lee “Hobby” Savage Speck, his five sons: Pat Kelly Speck MD, Don Thomas Speck DDS, Mark Lee Speck DDS (Sherry), Eric Johannes Speck MBA, and Norman Kirk Speck DDS (Paula), nine grandchildren: Charles Norman Speck, Derek Alexander Speck, Dylan Savage Speck, Evan Pierce Speck, Travis Shane Speck, Rachel Joy Speck DDS, Shannon Collins Matthews, Sarah Emma Speck and Hannah Mary Speck. Norman is also survived by an extended loving family of cousins, nieces and nephews and friends worldwide.
A grave-side internment service will be officiated by Rev. MaCalahan of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church at 1:00 PM Thursday October 25, 2018 at Forest Park Lawndale with a visitation one hour prior to burial at the Forest Park Lawndale’s main chapel. A Celebration of Life will be organized and conducted at a later date especially for those friends and family who could not attend the grave-side ceremony.
In lieu of flowers, Norman requested that donations be made to American Alzheimer Foundation (or any Alzheimer Research organization) or to Hobby and Norman’s church, the First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Houston. Attendees are invited to a reception following the internment at the Speck Family Home.