Edison Conant Speer

Edison C. Speer, 87, passed away peacefully at home on August 18, 2022 . He will be remembered for his love of family, kind and generous spirit, unassuming manner, and his enthusiasm for business.

Ed was born on February 1, 1935 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the son of the late Edison and Grace Speer. He attended the Rosslyn Farms School, Crafton High School (1953), and earned a BS in Commerce and Finance from Bucknell University in 1957. That same year he married his wife of 65 years, Nancy Beasten, also a Bucknell graduate.

Ed joined the Army and was posted to Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Upon returning to Pittsburgh, he began a 20 year career with Universal Cyclops Specialty Steel Division, living in Connecticut and Titusville, Pa before coming back to Pittsburgh.

In 1980, Ed began working for Dynamet, Inc., retiring as Vice President and General Manager in 1997. He was the Executive Director of the International Titanium Association from 1997-1999. After that he and his son David purchased the Pittsburgh Batteries Plus franchise and worked together for 10 years before selling the business.

Ed enjoyed international travel with his wife, especially sailing cruises on the Windstar fleet, and going to air shows around the world. He was an avid sailor who built his own boat from a kit and also a tennis player. He loved the water and took fishing trips to Canada with his sons, son-in-law and grandsons. He also made numerous trips to the beaches of Long Island, North Carolina and Cape Cod. Nothing made him happier than a day on a beautiful beach with family.

Ed had a fondness for dogs, especially Golden Retrievers, and would often be caught sneaking his dogs ice cream and scrambled eggs. He was always good natured and despite serious health setbacks in his final years, he remained kind and caring to everyone around him.

Ed was preceded in death by his brother Roger, and his son-in-law Brendan Miles. In addition to his wife Nancy, he is survived by his children Jack (Colleen), Carolyn Miles, Walter (Brigitte), and David (Susan), and his grandchildren Annie and Robert Speer, Keegan, Patrick, and Molly Miles, and Daniel, Rebecca, and Timothy Speer.

The family would like to thank the very caring staff at Home Sweet Home and Concordia Hospice of Washington for the amazing care they provided during Ed’s illness.

In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for donations to the charity of your choice or the Speer Family Foundation at Bucknell University, 1 Dent Drive, Lewisburg, Pa 17837. Funeral services and a celebration of life will be held at a later date.