Walker-Eastman-Heydinger Funeral Home
98 W. Main St.
Norwalk, OH 44857
Phone: 419.663.4513
Fax: 419.663.6809
Cell Phone: 419.663.3504
Email: wehfh@eastmanfuneralhome.com
Website: https://www.eastmanfuneralhome.com/norwalk
View All Obituaries from Walker-Eastman-Heydinger Funeral Home
Dr. W. Robert Spettel, Jr., 81, of Naples Florida, and formerly of Norwalk, Ohio, passed away Sunday, August 16, 2015 in Norwalk Memorial Home, Norwalk, Ohio.
He was born October 8, 1933 in Norwalk, Ohio to the late Wilbur R. Spettel, Sr. and Dorothy (Dunn) Belanger.
Dr. Spettel was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church, and a graduate, and class president, St. Paul High School Class of 1951. He attended John Carroll University, Cleveland, Ohio 1951 to 1953, received his Bachelor's Degree from Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio in 1953, and was president of Western Reserve Class of 1957 where he received his Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Dental Corps, where as a Major in the Air Force, he practiced as a rotating dental intern at Lackland USAF Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, from 1957 to 1958. He practiced General Dentistry at Sembach Air Force Base in Germany from 1958 to 1961. Dr. Spettel received his certificate in Periodontology from Tufts University, Boston, Mass. In 1963, served his residency in Periodontics at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois from 1963 to 1966, and practiced privately in Periodontics from 1966 until his retirement in 1997.
He was a Fellow of the International College of Dentists, and of the American College of Dentists. Dr. Spettel was active in organized dentistry on local, state, and national levels. As the specialty of Periodontology was being organized, Dr. Spettel was one of the earliest Board Certified Periodontists. He helped found the Ohio Academy of Periodontology and was active in the American Academy of Periodontology. Dr. Spettel was a member of the Cleveland Dental Society and its Board of Directors, was a delegate of the Ohio Dental Association, and an alternate delegate of the American Dental Association. He served as an Ohio State Dental Board member from 1973 to 1978. Dr. Spettel served on the North East Regional Board of Examiners from 1973 to 2003. He was an Associate Clinical Professor of Periodontology at Case Western Reserve University from 1966 to 1991. He was also a charter member of the Ohio Academy of Periodontists, and was an active member of the Midwest Society of Periodontology.
While serving in the United States Air Force, Dr. Spettel founded, and equipped, a dental clinic for Polish refugee children, and devoted many hours to their care.
In 1991, shortly after the fall of the Iron Curtain, he accompanied fellow dentists from Western Reserve Univeristy on a private mission, with assistance from World Vision and Case Western Reserve Univeristy, to several dental schools in Romania where dentistry had been suppressed by Communism.
He was a member, and past president, of the Norwalk Rotary Club for 23 years where he received the Paul Harris Fellowship Award. He enjoyed singing in the St. Paul Catholic Church Corale for 10 years, and the Voices of Naples Corale Group for 10 years. He especially enjoyed sailing and cycling.
Dr. Spettel was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather and enjoyed family gatherings with his family and extended family.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Maureen (McFadden) Spettel of Naples, Florida, by his children, Thomas (Sandra) Spettel of Westerville, Ohio, Sean (Karen) Spettel of Johnstown, Ohio, Dr. Julie (William) Roberts of Norwalk, Ohio, Laura (John) Seelie of North Olmstead, Ohio, Patrick (Cari) Spettel of Norwalk, Ohio, and Anne Spettel of Put In Bay, Ohio, 19 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, by his brother, Douglas (Deborah) Spettel of Barnegat, New Jersey, and by his sister, Mary (Robert) Spettel Stubnar of Parma, Ohio.
Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, October, 31, 2015 in St. Paul Catholic Church, 91 East Main Street, Norwalk, Ohio. Private burial has taken place in St. Paul Cemetery, Norwalk, Ohio.
Memorial contributions may be made to F.C.E.D.O. Endowment Fund, 93 East Main Street, Norwalk, Ohio 44857, to the Monastery of the Poor Clares, 3501 Rocky River Drive, Cleveland, Ohio 44111, or to Stein Hospice Service.
Walker Funeral Home, 98 West Main Street, Norwalk, Ohio is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be made by going to www.edwalkerfuneralhome.com.
