Knoxville, Tenn.—Dr. Patricia Lee Speer, age 64, passed away on December 11, 2019.
She was preceded in death by her father, Mr. Harold G. Speer and former spouse, Dr. Richard Bass.
Dr. Speer is survived by her sons, Philip A. Bass (Stephanie) and Benjamin J. Bass of Norfolk, Va.; her mother, Ruby Speer of Knoxville, Tenn.; her sister, Mrs. Becky Makla (John) of Pensacola; her brothers, Dr. Harold Speer, Jr. (Grace) of Nashville, Tenn. and Keith Speer of Knoxville; her sister, Jane Flaspohler (John) of Winston, Ga. and Dr. Speer’s former spouse, Dr. Mark Bierner of Austin, Texas.
Dr. Speer was born in Chaumont, France, which probably accounted for her lifelong “Joie de Vivre.” Dr. Speer grew up in Knoxville, where she graduated from West High School in 1973. She remained in her home state to attend ETSU where she obtained her dental hygiene degree. After working as a dental hygienist for five years, she attended the University of Tennessee Health Science College: College of Dentistry in Memphis, where she had the honor and privilege to serve as class president her senior year. After graduating from UTHSC in 1984 with a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree, Dr. Speer went on to complete her advanced Periodontal degree at the University of Virginia Dental School in Richmond, Va. in 1986. Dr. Speer belonged to the American Dental Association and the Virginia Dental Association. She was honored to serve one term as president of the Virginia Board of Dentistry.
While at the University of Virginia, Dr. Speer met and married Dr. Richard Bass, who was also a University of Virginia dental graduate. She and her husband established separate, successful dental practices in their adopted hometown of Virginia Beach.
Dr. Speer spent the last 10 years of her life in a loving relationship with Craig Coker. She was a devoted member of Congregation Beth El synagogue and will be dearly missed by her many lifelong friends and loving family.
A Memorial Service is planned for Saturday, February 8, 2020 at Norfolk Yacht and Country Club. Donations may be sent to Multiple Sclerosis Association of America or to gofundme.com/save-patti039s-house.