Richard M.D.

Richard Lampkin Speck (Dick), 94, passed away on February 26 in his Denver home with his family.

Dick was born in Denver, Colorado, to Richard Theodore Speck and Grace Lampkin Speck on January 8, 1924. His childhood was spent in McPhee in southwestern Colorado, where his father was the company doctor for a logging operation. Dick graduated from East High School in Denver in 1941. He enlisted and trained in the U.S. Army Air Corps, and ultimately served in the Army's 66th Infantry Division from November 1942 to April 1946 in northern France.

After his military service, Dick finished his Bachelor's degree at the University of Colorado in 1948, and went on to earn a doctor of medicine from there in 1953. He was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Dick met Harriet R. Froese while at the University of Colorado and married her on June 23, 1951-the beginning of 66 loving years together. He completed his residency training in 1965 and began a family practice in Cortez, Colorado. Dick continued his education at Yale University under a fellowship to study oncology, and had a General Surgery practice in Denver for several years before retiring.

In his younger years, Dick enjoyed taking ski trips with his family. He took up golf and had a regular outing with his golfing buddies until very recently. At age 90, he hit a hole in one. He mastered the art of wine making with homegrown fruit from his garden that also produced fresh tomatoes, green beans, and peppers. He dabbled in drawing and painting and enjoyed reading and cooking. Dick will be remembered for spending many hours playing a baby grand piano that belonged to his grandmother and was shipped from Texas to Colorado in the late 1800s. He enjoyed playing classical music, especially Chopin, and later in life learned many popular tunes to which he sang along while he played.

Dick was a loyal husband and father, and friend to many. His soft manner and dry humor will be sorely missed by Harriet; his three children Mary (Dennis), Richard (Debbi), and Bill (Susan); and four grandchildren, Kyle, Lindsey, Jennifer, and Tyler.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, Berkley Palliative Care and Hospice (https://www.berkleyhospice.com/donations), or a charity of choice. The family members wish to extend their gratitude to the Berkley Hospice and Aurora ComForCare teams, whose caring staff were of great comfort to Dick and his family in his final journey.