Obituary of Leland Elbridge Spencer ~ 1993

Transcribed by Joan S Dunn

Source: Akron Beacon Journal Dec 17 1993

VERO BEACH, Fla. - Leland Elbridge Spencer, 2300 West Indian Creek 
Boulevard, Vero Beach, Florida passed away Thursday, December 16, 1993. 
Born in Merritt, N. C., March 21, 1908, he graduated high school in 
Stonewall, N. C., then attended Hammel Business School and Goodyear 
Industrial University in Akron, Ohio. 
In 1926 he joined the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in what became a 
44-year career.  
Beginning in the Production Control Dept. he advanced to Manager of 
Merchandise Planning. 
In 1942 he was loaned to the United States Government  and appointed Chief 
of Production and Requirements, Office of Rubber Director, War Production 
Board, Washington, D.C. and was made Assistant Rubber Director two years 
later. He retired from the War Production Board in 1945 and returned to 
Goodyear in Topeka, Kansas as Plant Manager. In 1947, he again joined the
government as Special Assistant to Gen. Lucius Clay in Berlin. Later that 
year he was made Chief Executive of Commerce & Industry in American, 
British and  French Zones, Frankfurt, where he was in charge of rebuilding 
the iron, coal, and steel industries of Germany.  
In 1949 Mr. Spencer returned to the U. S. to become Executive Vice 
President, Kelly-Springfield Tire Co. (Goodyear subsidiary), Cumberland, 
Maryland. He returned once again to government service in 1951 as Director 
Rubber Division of National Production Authority, Department of Commerce 
Washington, D.C. and the next year was named Director, Office of Synthetic 
Rubber, Reconstruction Finance Corporation. 
In 1953 he was returned to Goodyear, Akron, as Special assistant to the 
President and became Vice President the following year. 
In 1958 he was assigned as Executive Vice President of Goodyear, Canada, 
Toronto, and became President and General Manager in 1959. 
He retired as Chairman of the Board of Goodyear, Canada in 1970, whereupon 
he and Mrs. Spencer moved to Delray Beach, Florida and then to Vero Beach 
eight years later.  
Mr. Spencer was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, a 33rd degree 
Mason, a Shriner, a member of the Vero Beach Country Club and a past 
president of St. George's Country Club, Toronto where he held lifetime 
membership.  
Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Marguerite; daughter, Mrs. Richard 
T. (Joyce) Bishop, Vero Beach; sons, Larry E. Spencer, Batesville, 
Arkansas  and Thomas M. Spencer, Collingwood, Ontario, Canada; 16 
grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. 
Mr. Spencer is predeceased by one son, Marvin Lee Spencer.  
At the family's request there will be no visitation or repose.  
A memorial service will be held on Monday, December 20, 1993 at 11 a.m. at 
First Presbyterian Church with Reverend Dr. David Mulford officiating.  
Contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, P. O. 939, 
Vero  Beach, Florida 32961, or the charity of one's choice in memory of 
Mr. Spencer. 
Arrangements are under the direction of Cox-Gifford Funeral Home.





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