Henry Charles Specht 1927-2020
On October 6, 2020, Henry Charles Specht, 93, Overland Park, Kansas, died peacefully at home.
Henry was born September 16, 1927, in Piqua, Kansas, the son of Carl E. and Mary L. (Konen) Specht. He grew up on a small farm in Piqua, attending Piqua primary school and later graduating from Iola High School.
He served in the United States Navy during WWII and the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He attended Colorado State for one semester where he played basketball. He transferred to Kansas State College of Agriculture and Applied Science (later becoming Kansas State University) under the GI Bill of Rights. He was a member of Phi Kappa Fraternity. In 1950 he played 40 baseball games for the Topeka Owls Class C, where he played against Mickey Mantle. The following year the Chicago Cubs offered him the opportunity to play third base. He graduated from K-State in May, 1951 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He played basketball under Tex Winter, and baseball for K-State.
Post-graduation, he married the love of his life, June (Boydston), on September 3, 1951. They were married 54 years and had six children, 20 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, who were their pride and joy.
His family was the most important aspect of his life and his favorite hobbies were hunting with friends and family, wood working, and coaching his sons in multiple sports. He and June loved watching their children compete in athletics at Shawnee Mission North High School. He was a long-time member of St. Pius X Parish in Mission. One of their greatest joys was caring for their beloved homestead of 65 years.
…we will forever miss Dad’s remarkable sense of humor, and unforgettable smile.
Survivors include his Sister, Mary Louise Collins, Humboldt, Kan. and Brother, Frank Specht, Piqua, Kan. , Children, David Specht, Mission; Susan Specht Coyle (Mike), Shawnee; Barbara Specht Willoughby (Mark), Lawrence; Robert Specht (Kelly), Overland Park; Joseph Specht (Elizabeth), Shawnee; and Steven Specht (Janice), Stilwell.
He was preceded in death by his wife June in 2005; a sister, Bernice Specht Wille; brothers, Lloyd Specht and Archie Specht; and grandson, Carl Specht.
Memorial Mass will be at 6 p.m. Saturday, October 10 at Cure of Ars Catholic Church, 9405 Mission Rd., Leawood. Private graveside services will be held on Monday, October 12 at Resurrection Cemetery in Lenexa. In lieu of flowers, family suggests memorial contributions to Carl’s Cause at www.carlscause.org