This memorial website was created in memory of my father, Richard Sprague, 73, born on March 5, 1943 and passed away on July 6, 2016. He will be remember forever.
Dad requested his ashes be taken to Ohio and placed with his mother and father. A service at Evergreen Cemetary, Geneva, Ohio, at 930 a.m. on 1 August will be held.
A Memorial Service for
Mr. Richard “Dick” Sprague
July 27, 2016
Entrance Chaplain, Lt Col M Curtis, Site Chaplain
Chaplain: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of all mercy and the God of all consolation. He comforts us in all our sorrows so that we can comfort others in their sorrows with the consolation we ourselves have received from God.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
Chaplain: If we were baptized in Christ Jesus, we were baptized into his death. We were buried therefore with him by Baptism into death, so that Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
Invocation Chaplain
Mr. Sprague’s Service Mr. J Kunath
Remarks Ms. C Kozak
The Proclamation of the Word
Chaplain: The Lord be with you.
ALL: And also with you.
Reading of Psalm 23 and Romans 8:35-39
Chaplain: This is the Word of the Lord.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
Meditation Chaplain
Prayer Chaplain
*Benediction Chaplain
Chaplain: May God be merciful to us and bless us. May He cause His face to shine upon us. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all, both now, and on into eternity.
ALL: Amen
* PLEASE STAND
Mr. Richard “Dick” Sprague
April 1964 – July 1964 Basic Military Training at Lackland AFB,TX
July 1964 – April 1965 Goodfellow AFB,TX
May 1965 – April 1968 Elmendorf AFB, AK
May 1968 – June 1971 Pacific Air Defense Analysis Facility, Hickam AFB, HI
June 1971 – September 1971 Survival School
September 1971 – August 1972 6994th Security Squadron, Tan Son Nhut AB, Vietnam
September 1972 – June 1979 6948th Security Squadron, Kelly AFB,TX
June 1979 – July 1980 Electronic Security Squadron HQ, Boerfink MTK, Germany
July 1980 – June 1983 Electronic Security Squadron HQ, Ramstein AB, Germany
July 1983 – July 1988 6943rd Electronic Security Squadron, Ft Meade, MD
July 1988 Retired USAF as a Senior Master Sergeant
Feb 1989 – May 1989 Intelligence Staff Officer, National SIGINT Operations Office (NSOC)
May 1989 – May 1996 America’s Regional Coordinator for Cryptologic Support Groups, eventually attaining worldwide support responsibilities
June 1996 – October 1998 Corporate Briefer and Senior Account Manager in support of DIRNSA Executive Presentations Team
October 1998 – September 2004 Senior Staff Officer and Customer Advocate for nine Major Combatant Commands
September 2004 – July 2007 Deputy Senior Operations Officer, NSAW
July 2007 – August 2011 Deputy Director, Texas Security Operations Center
August 2011 – August 2013 Director, Texas Security Operations Center
August 2013 – July 2016 Senior Staff Officer, Customer Engagement/Watch Operations
Mr. Richard “Dick” Sprague, SMSgt, USAF (Ret) March 5, 1943 – July 6, 2016Mr. Dick Sprague, a native of Cleveland, Ohio was a life-long servant of his community and country. Dick grew up in a police family, his father was the Chief of Police in Geneva, Ohio. Dick worked at the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) for a couple of years prior to joining the military. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in April 1964 and completed over 52 years of combined Military and Civilian Federal Service.
Some of his favorite pastimes included basketball and miniature golf which he passed down to his daughter. While living in Germany, he belonged to a Volksmarching club and enjoyed walking 10Ks every weekend. Dick loved to travel and see the world, and he especially loved road trips when it meant visiting family or old Vietnam buddies. In his later years, he enjoyed collecting coins and studying his family tree.
Dick’s close friends and family tell of his gentle soul and willingness to lend a hand or an ear whenever someone was in need and he never asked for a penny in return. His personal and professional values of trustworthiness, integrity, loyalty, determination, and diligence drove him to rise through the enlisted ranks in the Air Force and proved invaluable throughout his years of service to local communities and the National Security Agency (NSA). His professional folder includes a stack of awards signed by a Who’s Who of retired Generals and former NSA Directors and Deputy Directors.
When Dick wasn’t walking the halls around campus trying to track down someone who owed him an email, coordinating impromptu exercise, flirting with literally anyone, or eating lunch with strangers in the café, he was running around town volunteering at animal shelters, church functions, area hospitals, rehabilitation centers, veterans’ organizations, and on and on. He tried his hand at riding a Harley, but that was short lived once he learned just how many bugs were waiting for him once he got on the highway.
But, for all of his interest around town, he felt his true purpose was to mentor and guide young professionals here on campus and he was remarkably good at it. Dick would appreciate any contributions to the American Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
He leaves behind an unblemished legacy of a servant’s heart and servant’s hands. Dick is survived by his daughter Toyia and numerous relatives and friends.
