October 8, 1942 – September 27, 2014
Bob graduated from Carleton with a major in Economics. Based upon the large number of stories he told about them, Miss Harrison and Mr. Will were probably his favorite professors. Bob graduated from the University of Texas Law School in 1967. Like other men in our class, Bob was pressured by his County Selective Service Commissioner to enlist. After graduation from law school Bob decided to enlist in the Navy’s Officer Candidate School to exercise a three-year obligation. It was that choice or be drafted into the U. S. Army.
Bob served at sea aboard the Navy’s aircraft carriers FORRESTAL and INDEPENDENCE. Because his permanent designation of Judge Advocate General for the Navy had not yet been processed, Bob was given opportunity to learn relative motion, seamanship on the ocean, hands-on ship handling and navigation. Bob loved it. Eventually, Bob became the ship’s official legal officer, but he tried to join the ship’s watch teams to “drive” the ship as much as he could.
After the Navy, Bob worked for the NLRB in San Francisco. Thereafter, he worked in private law as an employment attorney. Bob did not love practicing law, but he did love studying the law. Bob retired from the law field as soon as he had his retirement assured. He had other things to do.
Bob became a very serious water-man, and his spouse, Jean An, accompanied him on many of their adventures. If there was water, boats, and hopefully fish, Bob was in heaven. He owned many boats and actually pre-positioned some of them at his favorite fishing locations. Florida in the winter was a favorite, Cudjoe Key especially. But it didn’t really matter, as long as there was good water and fishing…the Pacific coast of California, California’s trout streams, the Gulf of Mexico and the Minnesota lakes, especially White Fish Lake where Bob and Jean An maintained a cabin. Bob and Jean An also enjoyed other outdoor activities such as rafting on many rivers of the West and hikes in beautiful places. After the daily rafting trips, Bob would fish in the evenings. He was dedicated.
Bob did not have children, but he was adored by his nieces and nephews. His ashes were interred in the cemetery at Pine River, Minnesota. Bob’s loving Airedale, Lucy, is buried with him.
Robert Sprague ’64
2 October 2014
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