A difficult year for SPS, losing two active members. After joining SPS with his wife, Sharon Silversmith, Ron Speier actively participated in our digital competitions. We will miss him and his photography,
Ronald Speier died on June 27, 2026. He resided in Colonie, New York. Ronald was born in Louisville, Kentucky, on December 13, 1944, to Fred and Dorothy Speier. He graduated from Seneca High School, the University of Louisville, the University of Louisville School of Law, and New York University School of Law with an LL.M. Degree. After earning his LL.M., he clerked for Justice Samuel Steinfeld of the Kentucky Court of Appeals. In 1976, he began work in Albany, New York, at the New York State Department of Social Services, later the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, and retired in 2006.
Ronald was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Susan Speler Katz.
He is survived by the love of his life, Sharon
Silversmith, with whom he shared 53 wonderful years. He is also survived by Mark Silversmith (Lisa), Robert Silversmith (Diane); his nieces and nephews: Amy Purdie (Aaron), Jodie Weinrib; Alexandra, Chloe, William, Daniel and Noah Silversmith; Avery Purdie and Nadav and Maya Weinrib. He is also survived by first cousins Richard Siegel (Mindy), Paul Speier (Janet) and Shirley Yussman (Bob). He is also survived by cousins Ed Sulzberger (Linda), Jean Gumpert (David), Ted Fleischaker (Ivan), Kay Fleischaker and Felice Price.
Ronald loved all animals and asked to pet every dog he met. He was a member of the Schenectady Photographic Society and enjoyed photography day trips with Sharon and Linda Tommasulo. He loved to travel. He especially loved Stockholm, Amsterdam, and Istanbul.
He was buried at Mt. Ararat Cemetery in Farmingdale, New York.
Donations may be made to a charity of your choice, especially to animal humane societies.