EDWARD A. (TED) SPEERS

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EDWARD A. (TED) SPEERS, Ph.D., P. Eng. 1918 - 2013 Ted passed away in Winnipeg, Sunday morning, November 3, 2013, leaving his loved and loving wife and devoted companion of 53 years, Jean, their son Chris (Tina), of Calgary, Alberta and daughter Elizabeth (Mike) of Beaconia, Manitoba. Ted was very proud of his children's independence, their abilities and their determined ambition. Throughout his life, Ted had an overwhelming curiosity and desire to research multitudes of subjects that caught his attention, and he had a very early interest in research and development and environmental sustainability in both industry and government, which led him to his choices in education and employment. Ted was born, brought up and had early education in Brandon, Manitoba, and he attended Brandon University where he was granted a one-year exchange scholarship to the University of British Columbia. Ted returned to Brandon to complete his B.A. in Arts and Science, then attended UBC once again for a BASc. and an MASc. in Chemical Engineering. Returning to Manitoba in 1960, Ted continued his interest in research, combining self-employed work and education by achieving a Ph.D. at the University of Manitoba in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, which led to consulting work in Ukraine and Russia. Ted's community activities were broad in scope. Examples are: a founding member of the Biomass Energy Institute; President of the Alumni Association of Professional Engineers of Manitoba, and subsequently a member of the Senate at the University of Manitoba; founding member and director of the Solar Energy Society of Canada and of the Canadian Hydrogen Association; a board member of the Recycling Council of Manitoba. A private memorial service was held for Ted on Thursday, November 7. The family thanks the health-care professionals of WFPS and Grace Hospital. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ted's memory may be made to a charity of your choice or to the Faculty of Engineering Centenary Fund at the University of Manitoba to support the education of engineering students. Cheques can be made out to the University of Manitoba with Engineering Centenary Fund in the subject line and mailed to Donor Relations, 179 Extended Education Complex, U. of M., Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 or by calling 1-800-330-8066. Wojcik's Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, 2157 Portage Avenue, 204-897-4665, is in care of arrangements. wojciksfuneralchapel.com. Our kind, loving and always interesting husband and father will be greatly missed.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 09, 2013