TUSCALOOSA – Robert M. Sprung, age 67, of Tuscaloosa, Ala., died April 16, 2018. A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 8, 2018, at Hopewell Baptist Church with Josh Nowell and Phillip Lee officiating and Heritage Chapel Funeral Home & Cremations, A Dignity Memorial Provider, directing.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard Martin Sprung and Jean Cullison Sprung; brother, Frank Sprung; sister, Peggy Bessee; daughter, Lynea Sprung Hambrice; and grandson, Zachary Taylor Hambrice.
Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Stewart Sprung; son, Robert M. Sprung, Jr.; Betty Heaton (Richard) of Boise, Idaho; Richard Sprung (Patricia) of Moline, Ill.; brother-in-law, Bill Bessee of Moline, Ill; sisters-in-law, Dorothy (Dodie) Sprung of Moline, Ill., Jean Rhodes of Linden, Ala., Diane Stewart of Moundville, Ala and Odel Rylee of Floresville, Texas; and grandchildren, Ella Grace, Claire Elizabeth, James Cayde and Aiden Michael.
Robert “Bob” Sprung was born on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 1950, in Moline, Ill. He graduated from Alleman High School in Rock Island, Ill. He married Dorothy “Dottie” Stewart on November 14, 1970. He served 12 years in the United States Air Force and was stationed one year in Vietnam. Bob was a doting husband and father. His laughter was contagious, his heart tender and sweet, his faith absolute. He knew and practiced unconditional love every day.
Bob was not only a pastor, but a teacher as well. He was on fire for God. This was his life’s desire that with each person he could touch, no simply with knowledge, but his understanding and willingness to listen as well. Bob lived what he believed.
The ability to share a story was a gift often confirmed by many. His memory of dates and surroundings, of moments in time took the listener into the story, the outcome usually resulted in laughter by us, and then by him, then more by us as he laughed it became contagious.
Bob had a true love for music and the meanings of all he listened to. Music carried him to a place to identify or remember.
He received his bachelor’s degree from Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Mo., and his master’s degree from Missouri State University. He spent 35 years as a Baptist minister, pastored several Baptist churches over the years, and worked 30 year for the United States Postal Service in Management.
His love for trivia meant when he started to ask questions you needed to be sharp, because he knew the answers.
The world lost a great, honest, loving man. Through his faith, the Lord has carried him home. Rejoice in his success.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hopewell Baptist Church or Hospice of West Alabama.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18