Robert Spira

ROBERT A. SPIRA, age 94, died peacefully at his home in Tucson, Arizona, on the evening of June 27, 2026, with his wife by his side.

He was born on February 13, 1932, to Leo Spira and Tena D (Sarnat) Spira, and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He was preceded by his brother, Dr. Richard Spira, his wife and the mother of his children Nancy Spira and Barabra Lader

After earning a BA from Roosevelt University, he served in the U.S. Army Special Forces during the Korean War. He then entered the brokerage business and worked as Vice President of Walston & Company, Chicago, from 1955 to 1970.

Robert was a talented stockbroker and investment banker who at one point held five seats on the New York Stock Exchange. He was also one of the nation’s first televised financial commentators and appeared on ABC Television's finance news from 1967 to 1970. He was an advisor to the United Nations and a lecturer at Thunderbird International Business School.

Robert is survived by his wife Shirley Spira, his daughter Leslie Spira-Pinder, her husband Sean Pinder, his son James Spira, his wife Debbie Spira, and his 5 grandchildren.

He had a quick wit and a lust for life; his hobbies included Scuba Diving all over the world. He enjoyed traveling with his wife Shirley and was always looking for the next adventure.

His family will be celebrating his life on a date to be announced. Any donations made to the BrightFocus Foundation's Alzheimer’s Disease Research program in honor of Robert A. Spira would be greatly appreciated. .