Ken Spear served on the NPOS committee in the 1960s, with three years as President. He also stage managed for many Operatic shows.

 

On 10 January 1968, Ken and his family (wife Verla and children Carolyn and David) were tragically killed in a road accident. As a memorial to Ken and his family, the K.H. Spear memorial scholarship was established by the NPOS society and has been run for (most) years since.

 

The KH Spear Scholarship celebrates music theatre and is open to local Taranaki competitors. Participants perform songs from musicals with an emphasis on vocals and characterisation.