Teunis Spek

Teunis Benjamin Spek
1/16/1939 – 1/24/2019
“Opa”
Ben’s life on earth started in Rotterdam, the Netherlands—a curious, shy, and slender boy who loved to learn.  He was introduced to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at the age of 9, and this event shaped his future in amazing ways.  One of these was the opportunity for his family to share their small apartment home with another family in their Dutch Branch, whose young daughter would one day become Ben’s wife.
Ben’s growth increased exponentially when he and his family moved to the United States in his teen years.  He, his parents and two younger sisters, along with many other Dutch families settled in Utah, gathering in Zion as the prophet commanded. Still learning all he could, Ben truly came into his own when he was reacquainted with his sweetheart Iris, marrying in the Salt Lake Temple.  Together they built a strong family, enduring well and creating their legacy.  Ben and Iris have 6 children, 27 grandchildren, and soon to be 4 great-grandchildren – they truly earned the titles Oma and Opa.
Throughout his entire life Ben was a knowledge seeker, and with spiritual as well as mechanical matters, he wanted to discover how things worked. He became an engineer by profession, working on government contracts for missiles and military aircraft.  As a lover of truth and an admirer of scholars, he especially emulated those well versed in religion.  He read, re-read, pondered, studied, and memorized the words of prophets, professors, teachers, and the scriptures.  All of his study helped him tremendously as he served four missions, two with his wife Iris.
Neal A. Maxwell, who Ben especially admired for his eloquence of speech, stated “We can best learn that we are children of God by experiencing that kind of relationship and teaching in the home.”  Ben took this principal to heart and expressed his love to his family by teaching the gospel in his home through scripture study and by his example of righteous living.  Although quiet and shy in public, Ben was bold and fervent in his duties to share the precepts he had learned in his study of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  He constantly added to his religious education by attending Institute classes, religious studies courses and independent study.  He enjoyed travelling with Iris through China, Europe, the Middle East and taking Church History Tours here in the states.
Because he internalized his gained knowledge so well, Ben became a valuable resource to many.  Ward members, mission associates, church leaders and his family relied on him to find the answers to gospel questions.  Neighbors, coworkers and friends called upon him for help to repair whatever was broken.  A common response among family members to any uneasily answered question was “Ask Opa.” It was universally believed that Ben would know the answer or could find it among his vast collection of books.
Ben was utterly heartbroken when Iris died and he longed to be with her.  Burdened with grief, he prayed to understand what he still needed to accomplish in this life and hoped to understand the Lord’s will for his remaining time on earth. Last summer Ben accepted a calling to serve as a missionary in the Church History Library and facilitated the acquisition of records from the Netherlands that were unavailable before Ben’s efforts.
Ben enjoyed a glorious reunion with his deceased family and friends on the anniversary of his wife’s death.  Certainly there were many spirits on the other side wanting to embrace and welcome him. Undoubtedly, in his typically Dutch and brusque manner, Ben is removing himself from the crowd of loved ones to seek out the Master who can answer all of his questions.
A short service remembering Ben Spek will be held Tuesday, January 29th at 11:00am with a viewing at 10:00am at Memorial Estates Mortuary Chapel, 3115 Bengal Blvd, Cottonwood Heights, UT 84121.
Service Information
Viewing January 29, 2019 at 10:00 am - 10:45 am
3115 East 7800 South, Cottonwood Heights, Utah, 84121





Funeral Service
January 29, 2019 at 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
3115 East 7800 South, Cottonwood Heights, Utah, 84121