Dr. Edwin Gibson Speir Jr.

Dr. Edwin G. Speir, Jr., most recently from Banner Elk, NC, died in Milledgeville, Georgia on Tuesday, December 30, 2014. He was eighty years old, born on October 16, 1934 in Charlotte, NC. His mother, Martha Galloway Speir and father, Edwin G. Speir and family migrated to the New York and Connecticut area for his elementary and high school years. A move to Morganton, NC in 1951 led to his entering Davidson College. He completed a B.S. in Economics and later served two years with the U.S. Army in France. He returned to attend Harvard Business School and worked for Speir Textiles, Inc. for three years. In 1961, he and his wife, Sue Purvis Speir of Cornelia, Georgia moved to Denver. He received his doctoral degree from the University of Denver Graduate School of International Studies in 1965. The same year he became a Foreign Service Officer and was assigned as a Programming Officer with the Peace Corps in Brazil. Following his return to the U.S. he served in academic administration as well as faculty appointments at UNC-Asheville, Coker College in SC, UW-Whitewater as Vice-Chancellor, and in 1981 was appointed President of Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville. Dr. Speir worked with the Chancellor and Regents as well as faculty and staff to accept the new mission of being designated the Public Liberal Arts University of Georgia. He retired in 1997. Dr. Speir was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Rawley Galloway Speir, formerly of Loudon, TN. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Sue Purvis Speir of Milledgeville and three daughters; Sarah Speir of Americus, Jennifer Speir-Hearn of Atlanta, and Lynn Speir of Atlanta; three grandsons and one granddaughter; and a sister, Anne Speir Bruce of Greenville, SC. A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, January 24, 2015 at 2:00pm in the Magnolia Ballroom of Georgia College and State University, 231 West Hancock St., Milledgeville, GA 31061. In lieu of flowers, as a way to celebrate his lasting legacy in expanding the international presence on the Georgia College & State University campus, the family has designated the International Education Center as the recipient of memorial gifts. Donations may be mailed to: Georgia College & State University Foundation, Campus Box 96, Milledgeville, GA 31061. Please note “In memory of President Speir” in the memo line. Donations may also be made on-line by visiting www.gcsu.edu/donate.

Dr. Edwin Gibson Speir Jr.

October 16, 1934 - December 30, 2014