Dr. Van Reed Speas' Obituary
Dr. Van R. Speas, 86 of Fort Myers departed this life on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
Van was born in Burlington to Helen M. and Clarence J. Speas on March 8, 1940. He attended Burlington High School through grade 10 and graduated high school in Phoenix. Dr. Speas attended Arizona State University and California State University, Long Beach before being activated from the reserves into the United States Navy during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
He served honorably in the Navy’s WestPac fleet in the western Pacific aboard the USS Rochester (CA-124) and the USS Cochrane (DD-658), with time spent in Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, Hawaii, Guam, and China.
Following his discharge from the Navy, Van attended Northern Michigan University and graduated with honors, allowing him to enroll at Northwestern University where he obtained his DDS dental degree.
Van’s first practice as a dentist brought him to Lausanne, working for Suisse Santé Publique as an itinerant dentist traveling to small villages in the Alps. Subsequently, Van again enrolled at Northwestern University to study orthodontics, where he received his master’s degree.
Following completion of his orthodontic training, Dr. Speas moved to Fort Myers in 1972 and established his practice limited to orthodontics. Dr. Speas had a sincere interest in treating patients with cleft lips and cleft palates and was instrumental in establishing a cleft palate clinic in Fort Myers.
He also worked with Operation Smile, traveling to Mombasa and Davao to treat patients with cleft palates and cleft lips. Dr. Speas further taught a two-year course in orthodontics in Ho Chi Minh City and volunteered treating indigent patients in Jerusalem. He authored many published articles and inventions of which he was very proud.
Van’s fondest memories were traveling with his wife and children, sharing with them a glimpse of the places he had enjoyed throughout his life.
Van is survived by his loving wife of 25 years, Myrna Richards Speas; his children, Lauren J. Speas, Reed Speas; and his stepdaughters, Dr. Whitney Richards and Kelly Richards. Van was the proud “Grampy” of Elle, Alli, Rhys, Blake, Camden, Lily, and Josie.
A private celebration of Van's life will be held.
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