Bob Speegle

Robert 'Bob' Speegle, of Marion, formerly of Paradise, California, passed to his heavenly home on September 30, 2020, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Memorial Service: 7 p.m. Saturday, October 3, 2020, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, with visitation beginning one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. The livestream link may be found here: https://www.hdezwebcast.com/show/remembering-bob-speegle He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Edythe; daughter, Jennifer (Scott) Griffith of Forest Ranch, California; step-sons, Kevin N. (April Lynn) Minton of Kennewick, Washington, and Kelly J. (Cari Ann) Minton of Marion, Iowa; seven grandchildren, Monica Speegle of Redding, California, Kayle Griffith, Matthew (Sarah) Griffith of Chico, California, Dana (Tyler) Griffith Mack of Forest Ranch, California, Isaiah Fitzgerald Minton of Marion, Iowa, Hope Elizabeth Minton of Marion, Iowa, and Baby Minton of Kennewick, Washington, who arrives in the Spring of 2021; six great-grandchildren; special friends, Brian Petersen and Matt Felix; and a wonderful host of cousins and music friends. Robert Leland Speegle was born March 7, 1937, to Marguerite (Pitti) and Melvin Speegle in Chico, California. At the age of 15, he formed a band, playing music at venues throughout the Chico area. He graduated from Chico State University in the early 1960's and began a teaching career in the Sacramento area of California. Bob was a California Cowboy at heart, but a professional musician by trade'a trade he perfected. His gift of performance as a bass, saxophone, flute, and clarinet player were highly regarded. Bob taught many students over his career and entertained in venues all over North America, Europe, and the Caribbean. Audiences large and small always left Bob's show with all the joy Bob had to give. While teaching in Sacramento area, he formed a group called the Valley Balladeers winning a local talent contest in Folsom, California. The group later became The Main Street Singers including his then wife, Betty, two other teachers, and himself. This group toured the Silver Circuit, taking their music and recordings to stages around the world for approximately ten years. At the end of this tour, he devoted his time to being a teacher of music. Bob stayed busy training groups, teaching piano, voice and woodwinds, while continuing performance with local groups in the Daytona Beach, Florida area. Bob's love of music opened the doors for the writing of many original compositions, including ads for incentive companies and car dealerships. Bob produced, performed, and recorded a wide range of shows in different media, including stints with Big Bands both in Florida and California. Bob was known by friends as being an exceptionally good cook and he enjoyed serving his meals to friends and family, (in particular apple crisp). Bob loved entertaining ' making people laugh and sharing stories. He was a man of integrity, also known for his generosity and kind spirit. Bob was a promoter of good will and an encourager of talent whether supporting anyone with creative capacity in music, photography, or any other creative outlet. Bob believed deeply in God and being guided by the Holy Spirit. He is irreplaceable in the hearts of those who knew him, and he will be missed! He was loved deeply by his children, his extended family, and his wife. He was preceded in death by his parents. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Honey Run Covered Bridge Association. Bob and his father, Melvin, loved the bridge, and helped save it in the 1960's including a fundraising live performance by The Main Street Singers. Unfortunately, the bridge was lost after the Camp fire of 2018. In Bob's memory, donations can be made to the rebuilding of the bridge to P.O Box 5201, Chico CA 95927 or online at hrcoveredbridge.org