It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of our cherished Dad, Robert J. Spercel on December 14th, 2014. Bob is survived by his beloved children, Judy Spercel Prior, Robert M. Spercel, Cheryl Spercel Scott & Ronald R Spercel.
Bob Sperzel is a product of Cleveland and a testament to what can be accomplished with hard work and dedication.
Born and raised on East 23rd and St. Clair he attended Brownell Elementary was a graduate of East Technical High School with the likes of Harrison Dillard and Jesse Owens.Bob came from two very industrious and enterprising families. His Dad Jacob Spercel came from Germany with a pair of clippers and a razor in hand he started a barber shop. The barber shop was well known by all the executives of Higbees, Halles, and Brooks Brothers Department Stores. They all knew where to get the best cut in town. Bob’s dad eventually opened a Tavern on the corner of East 24th and St. Clair Avenue. This location was once the 10th Ward Social Fraternal Association later to be called Spercel’s Tavern.
In the same neighborhood his Maternal Grandfather Mathias along with his Uncle Matthew Allgaier owned and operated a blacksmith shop. The family was well known for their excellent service and business success. The introduction of the automobile totally changed the world and the future of the blacksmith industry. Matt and his grandfather made the decision to turn their blacksmith shop into a machine shop. That was the beginning of Allgaier Machine a well known successful machine shop on Cleveland’s east side. Here Bob learned from his uncle his machine and tool making skills.
Bob’s knowledge and skills in the machine and form tool business took off. The business continued to grow Bob Sperzel became the guy to know in the city when you had a problem. Although Bob never attended college he could match wits with any engineer in the city of Cleveland. He eventually became a consultant for one of the largest companies in Cleveland, Dill Manufacturing which later became a part of Eaton Corporation
As a child Bob saw things rise from nothing into a way of life. Bob’s family always came first. Today he believes and sees the best in all people. He is a generous and understanding man and is a friend to all that seek his help or knowledge.
At 91 years old Bob thrived with the same excitement that brought him from the East Side of Cleveland as a child to where he is now.
Bob Sperzel has many colorful stories to tell about his life and adventures living and working in Cleveland. From making a handle for the Gasinator Incinerator to developing the airdraulic door closer. Bob’s love of music led him into the Music Industry. Listening to complaints from guitar players expressing their frustrations with not staying in tune, Bob began research and development to correct major problems with the traditional guitar tuner. A problem the guitar industry had ignored.
Bob Sperzel patented and developed the “World’s Finest Guitar Tuner” as stated by the Fender Guitar Company in the May 1979 issue of the Guitar Players Magazine. Today the Sperzel Trim-Lok Tuner is manufactured totally on Cleveland’s West Side. The Sperzel Tuner is known worldwide for its superb quality a product of the USA. The best kept secret in the city of Cleveland now the home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame & Museum.
The list of worldwide guitar players using Sperzel’s continues to grow.
Recent Rock Hall inductee Jeff Beck, as well as Keith Richards, Tony Iommi, Brian Setzer, U2, Green Day, Metallica, and Joe Walsh are a tribute to Bob Sperzel’s success in the music Industry.
Bob Sperzel is a true Cleveland legend . From a small garage on Cleveland’s east side to West 78th & Lake Avenue to 15728 Industrial Parkway. Bob’s story is one of a natural born genius one who believed in himself, his family, and in the city. Bob Sperzel is a gift to Cleveland and to the guitar world; he forever changed the guitar industry and the way guitarist play, for the better.
