William "Doug" Douglas Spear

William Douglas "Doug'' Spear, 81, formerly of La Grande and a longtime professor at Eastern Oregon University, died at his home in Tigard on Memorial Day, May 25. A celebration of life will be held. Burial will be at Willamette National Cemetery. Autumn Funerals and Cremations in Tigard is in charge of arrangements.

Doug was born Jan. 19, 1928, to William McLelland Spear, M.D. and Elsie Doak Spear. He attended University Elementary School and graduated from University High School in Iowa City, Iowa.

During his senior year, Doug was president of the U-High student body and was the All-State football captain, ROTC commander and sang the role of the Major General in U-High's Gilbert and Sullivan production of the "Pirates of Penzance."

He was a trumpet soloist, arranged music for the U-High dance band and loved Glenn Miller's music. He was the recipient of myriad honors and awards including an appointment to West Point.

At the age of 16, Doug enrolled at the University of Iowa where he earned his B.A, M.A. and Ph.D. He was a graduate assistant for four years in the political science department. Further study was done at Yale University, University of Edinburgh, Scotland and the universities of Illinois and Wisconsin. He served in the U.S. Army.

After meeting at the University of Edinburgh, Mary Ann Jensen and Douglas Spear married Aug. 15, 1954, and traveled to La Grande where Doug served as professor of political science at Eastern Oregon University. His career spanned 40 years.

He was a skilled arbitrator, negotiator and public speaker. Those who knew Doug say he dedicated himself to educational, charitable and community interests, serving positions in city government, church, Rotary International, boards and commissions.

He had a weekly radio program of classical music for the Grande Ronde Symphony and later a weekly television program on world events.

Former students remember him as a wise counsel with personal integrity who enjoyed teaching such diverse courses as world politics, constitutional and environmental law, urban studies and the political novel.

In 1984, Doug was one of five professors honored for excellence in teaching by the Oregon State Board of Higher Education.

Despite distances, Doug cared for his parents. In retirement, Mary Ann and Doug enjoyed numerous trips to Europe, Scandinavia, Russia and Australia.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Ann; daughters, Kerry Spear and Kippe Spear; two grandchildren; the family of his brother, William James Spear; the Ryman, Klockar and Froste families of Sweden; and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter, Kirsten, a student in Uppsala, Sweden.

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