Obituary of Richard Sprowls

WEST COLUMBIA: Richard A. Sprowls, a Marine Veteran of World War II and the Korean War, died Sunday, July 1, 2012, at his home in West Columbia, SC. Born December 20, 1920, he was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. O. M. Sprowls; and was a former resident of McKeesport, PA. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 10, 2012, at Fort Jackson National Cemetery. Thompson Funeral Home of Lexington is assisting the family. Survivors are: his loving wife, Eleanor of 67 years, three children, Rick Jr., of Columbia, David of Denver, CO., and Kristen Seebauer of Columbia; also a sister, Dorothy Ross of Cape Coral, FL. He was a proud grandfather to eight grandchildren and a great grandfather to twenty great grandchildren. After completing two years of college, he enlisted in the Marines in 1942. He served as a platoon leader with the 5th Div. in the South and Central Pacific. Discharged in 1946 and then recalled to active duty in 1951 during the Korean War. After a refresher course at Quantico, VA, he was assigned as a staff officer with the 3rd Marine Div. Discharged in December of 1952, he returned to his civilian occupation in education. Mr. Sprowls completed his undergraduate work at the University of Pittsburgh and graduate work at the University of Maryland. After thirty years with the Montgomery County Public Schools of Maryland as a math teacher and later an administrator; he helped organize the Montgomery County Teachers Credit Union; was a member of the board of Directors and served as treasurer for a number of years before retiring.