ITW chief David Speer patient leader everyone liked

Updated: 2012-11-18 20:33:20

David B. Speer was a born salesman. At 11, he wanted a bike, so sold greeting cards door to door until he had enough money to buy himself one. Speer, 61, whose entrepreneurial energy and steady business sense brought him from door-to-door sales to become one of the highest paid executives in Chicago, earning $10 million last year, died early Saturday at Rush Medical Center of complications from cancer.

• Notre Dame No. 1 in BCS, one win away from playing for national title

  Notre Dame is a victory away from playing for the BCS title. Alabama and Georgia each need two, and could have to go through each other. A day after Oregon and Kansas State lost to give up control of the BCS race, the Fighting Irish (.9973) moved into first-place in the standings for the first time.

  • Perfect Notre Dame set for BCS No. 1 after Kansas St., Oregon lose
  • MORRISSEY: Notre Dame’s perfect scenario still intact
  • Record-setting Tyler Eifert is the total package at tight end
  • Illinois falls to Purdue, losing streak at eight
  • Big Ten might add Maryland, Rutgers
  • Notre Dame campus atmosphere ‘insane’ over football prowess
• Aldermen balk at IG’s request for council employees’ time sheets
• Prosecutors: Masked woman robbed her mother of 3.5-carat ring, and accomplice Tasered victim
  Updated: 2012-11-18 20:20:01
• Gold Coast stabbing victim’s family calls bartender hero
  Updated: 2012-11-18 20:10:33
• Gov. Pat Quinn: State’s worst in the nation unfunded pension burden has grown
  Updated: 2012-11-18 20:11:02
• 4 dead, 12 wounded in Chicago this weekend
  Updated: 2012-11-18 20:23:54