Honoring the Legacy of Richard L. Spees

For more than two decades, Richard (Dick) Spees dedicated his time and energy to the City of Oakland. From 1979 to 2003, he served on the Oakland City Council representing District 4, working to strengthen the neighborhoods and institutions that make Oakland home.

Among his proudest contributions was his role in building Chabot Space & Science Center’s current campus. Bringing together community partners to open the Center in 2000, he continued to serve on its board for many years. Today, thousands of visitors look through Chabot’s telescopes, explore the cosmos, and discover a love of science, and many of them have Dick and the Spees family to thank for it.

Dick believed in Oakland and invested in its future, and generations of Oaklanders have been impacted by his commitment.

We are honored to accept gifts in his memory for future generations of STEM students. Your gift in Dick's memory honors his legacy by supporting the work he cared about most: inspiring curiosity, opening doors for young people, and building a stronger community through a shared love of science.

If you’d prefer to make a gift in another way or have any questions about making a donation in memory of Dick Spees, please contact our team at development@chabotspace.org or 510-336-7326.