Speak, Reginald (1930-2021)

SPEAK, SAMUELS, DAVIS

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 10/6/2021 at 16:35:09

Daily Freeman Journal
Webster City, Iowa
August 13, 2021

Reginald G. Speak passed away Monday, August 9, 2021 in Davenport, IA. Visitation will be held between 4-7pm on Sunday, August 15, 2021 at the Runge Mortuary and Crematory Davenport, IA. A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 am on Monday, August 16, 2021 at Pleasant View Baptist Church in Bettendorf, IA. Burial will follow at Oakdale Cemetery-Davenport. Memorials may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation and online condolences can be shared at www.rungemortuary.com.

Reginald was the second of two children born to Ronald and Lucille (Samuels) Speak. He was born November 21, 1930 in Livonia, MO. He was raised in Weeping Water and Louisville, Nebraska. He attended 1 year at his beloved University of Nebraska before being inducted into the Navy as a corpsman toward the end of the Korean conflict. Upon his return, he attended Peru State Teacher’s College where he earned his degree in Physical Education and Health. At Peru State, he met his wife Barbara Davis and was married July 31, 1954. He taught school and coached football at Shubert, NE; Mitchellville, IA; Nora Springs, IA; and Radcliff, IA. He moved to Webster City, IA in 1962, becoming the Athletic Trainer and an assistant track coach. While there he earned his Masters Degree in Sports Medicine from Northeast Missouri State Teachers College (Truman State University). He moved to Bettendorf, IA in 1970 to teach Physical Education, Health, and to be the Athletic Trainer. He retired in 1992.

Reginald founded Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) at Bettendorf High School in 1972 and sponsored the group for 20 years. He was a deacon at Pleasant View Baptist church. Reginald and Barbara were foster parents for 20 years and took in 30 children. They also loved breeding and showing Shelties.

Reginald received numerous honors over his lifetime: He was the first full-time high school Athletic Trainer in Iowa, as well as, Iowa’s first high school Certified Athletic Trainer. In 1974, he was a presenter at the National Athletic Trainer Association (NATA) Workshop and Symposium and later, earned a commendation from the NATA for service to the Continuing Education Committee. He was named the Drake Relays Athletic Trainer of the year in 1981. In 1992 he received commendations from both the Iowa Athletic Directors and the Iowa Football Coaches Association, receiving the award from Iowa Hawkeye coach Hayden Fry. He also received a Sports Medicine Award from the IHSAA, the first trainer to receive such an award. He founded and directed Student Trainer clinics for over 20 years. In 2005, he was inducted into the Athletic Trainers hall of honor. He was also inducted into the Iowa FCA Hall of Faith in 2002. His greatest honor, Reg would say, was being the Athletic Trainer for the Bettendorf Bulldogs for 22 years, where he served 19 state championship teams.

He used to boast of the dubious distinction of holding a record in the state of Nebraska that has yet to be matched. While playing basketball for Louisville High, in one game he scored all his team’s points. Normally a bench player, toward the end of the game, his team down 33-0, he was substituted in. In the final seconds, he threw up a shot that remarkably went in.

He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Barbara, daughter Anne, brother Lloyd, and sister Paula. He is survived by his sons: Shannon (wife Chris), Terrance (wife Paula), Scott (wife Valerie), and Matthew (wife Michelle). He has 8 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.