Kevin J. Speicher class of 1985

November 27, 1966 ~ September 11, 2024 (age 57)

Kevin John Speicher, 57, died Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at his home in Ada with his wife by his side.

Kevin was born November 27, 1966, in Lansing, Michigan to the late Lucille and John Speicher. He is survived by his wife, Mary; his three daughters Sidney, Lauren, and Riley; his brother David Speicher; his sister Mary Speicher; his sister Ann [Bill] Stamp; his sister Jeanne [Jim] Klaes; his wife’s parents Joe and Sandy Martin; and many countless friends, colleagues, nieces and nephews who loved him dearly. Kevin was preceded in death by his brother Paul Speicher.

Kevin always spoke fondly of his home in Okemos. His love for Michigan stayed with him throughout his life, and he worked hard to impart this same love in his children. As a family, they would spend their summers together in Northern Michigan. Here, Kevin would spend time boating, cooking, and adventuring with his daughters.

Kevin graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelor’s degree in Materials and Logistics Management. He worked at Ford Motors in Detroit prior to attending Harvard Business School. After graduating with his business degree in 1996, he began working at McKinsey & Company. For 28 years, Kevin worked at McKinsey serving and advising Fortune 50 companies up until his death. Kevin held leadership roles in various practices including the McKinsey Transformation Practice, the Travel, Logistics & Infrastructure Practice, and served as the head of their global Operations Practice for six years. As a senior partner, Kevin also served on McKinsey’s senior partner committee. Kevin was known as a hard worker, a dedicated leader, and a true friend by his colleagues. Everyone who met ‘Spike’ (as they called him) felt honored by his care and attention. Kevin always valued getting to know his colleagues and clients on a personal level, and these connections were genuine. Additionally, Kevin lent his time to the Broad College Advisory Board at MSU and supported the Economics Club in Grand Rapids, as well as many cancer research initiatives.

Kevin and Mary would be celebrating their 25th year of marriage this coming November. They spent the bulk of their years together in Chicago and moved to Michigan about four years ago.  Kevin and Mary loved each other deeply, and Kevin often said that there was no one else he could have endured this cancer journey with. Kevin’s daughters were the pride and joy of his life.

Kevin was always curious, and always learning. Even while he was bedridden, he was talking with his family and friends, communicating with his colleagues, investing in his faith, and listening to music. A few of his passions – of which there were many – include his love of flying planes, his love of gardening, finding Petoskey stones in Lake Michigan, burning hardwood fires at his cottage, and raising his bees and lavender.

Kevin will be remembered as one of the funniest, most hard-working, and truly genuine people. He had so much life and love to give, and the many connections he made are a testament to the big and wonderful life he led.

An open casket visitation will be held at 10am on Saturday, September 14, 2024. In lieu of flowers, you can make a donation to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.  After the visitation, Kevin’s funeral will be held at 11am at his childhood school and parish, St. Thomas Aquinas (955 Alton Road East Lansing, MI). A celebration of his life and lunch will be held after his funeral at Eagle Eye Golf Club (15500 Chandler Rd, Bath Twp, MI 48808).

Please click here to view the video tribute.

Services

Visitation Saturday September 14, 2024  10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Mass of Christian Burial Saturday September 14, 2024 11:00 AM
St. Thomas Aquinas Parish
955 Alton Rd.
East Lansing, MI 48823

Donations

Prostate Cancer Foundation
1250 Fourth St., Santa Monica CA 90401
Tel: 1-800-757-2873
Web: https://www.pcf.org/

Thank you to John Suk class of 1985 for notification.

https://obits.mlive.com/us/obituaries/grandrapids/name/kevin-speicher-obituary?id=56292138