Dr. James G. Speight died on July 20, 2026.
Dr. Speight was an internationally recognized scientist, educator, and author whose career spanned more than 50 years. He earned doctorates in Chemistry, Geological Sciences, and Petroleum Engineering, and became a leading authority in petroleum science, engineering, biomass, biofuels, environmental science, and energy research. He authored more than 100 books and numerous publications that continue to influence scientists and engineers around the world.
Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Speight taught at the University of Utah, the University of Wyoming, and the University of Mosul, Iraq, and served as a Visiting Professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia, the Technical University of Denmark, and the University of Trinidad and Tobago. His many honors included election to the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Academy’s Gold Medal of Honor, the Scientists Without Borders Medal of Honor, the Einstein Medal for Geological Sciences, and the Methanex Distinguished Professor Award.
Born in England, Dr. Speight excelled both academically and athletically. He attended the University of Manchester, where he earned Honors and a PhD in Chemistry while also captaining the university soccer team. A lifelong athlete, he played competitive soccer for more than three decades and later served as a United States Soccer Federation referee, assessor, mentor, and community leader.
Dr. Speight’s career took him from the United Kingdom to Canada, and the United States, where he contributed to major research institutions, universities, government projects, and the energy industry. Alongside his professional accomplishments, he shared a lifelong passion for couples ice skating with his wife, Sheila, achieving Gold Level status as Canadian Figure Skating Judges..
He will be remembered for his intellectual curiosity, perseverance, international contributions to science, dedication to teaching, and commitment to mentoring future generations.
He is survived by his wife, Sheila, his son, James, and the many colleagues, students, friends, and family members whose lives he enriched.
A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, September 24, 2026 at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church. Inurnment will follow at the St. Matthew’s Columbarium.
