Robert George Sparling

Robert George "Bob" Sparling, 98, passed away on Nov 19, 2020 in Topeka KS. He was born in the home of his parents, John Edgar and Viola Lenore (Bennett) Sparling in Oneida, Kansas on June 23, 1922. He was the second of three boys in the family. He spent most of the years until his graduation from high school in the city of Oneida, population about 200 where his father's occupation changed during the depression years from being an employee in the Oneida State Bank (which failed in 1929) to Insurance Salesman, to Magazine Salesman, to Time keeper on the WPA to Cafe Manager, and finally to Oneida Postmaster. Bob was a good student and was a paper boy and a filling station attendant. He lettered in all sports at Oneida High School and he was Valedictorian in the graduating class of 1940.

Bob attended Kansas University until joining the Navy in September 1942. In the Navy he spent most of his time as a Baker on the USS Suamico where he earned 8 battle stars on the tanker which fueled the ships in the task forces which invaded Japanese-held Islands. The first battle star was for Tarawa and the last was for Okinawa. The Suamico was in the harbor at Iwo Jima when the flag was raised on Mount Suribachi. Bob served in the Navy until January 1946.

Bob returned to Kansas University in January 1946 and graduated with a BS in Education in the summer of 1948 and a Master in Education in the summer of 1951. In September 1948 he became a teacher and coach at Harveyville, Ks. where he met and admired a beautiful young English teacher named Helen Elizabeth "Beth" Russell. They married in August 1949 and moved to White Cloud, KS where Bob had been hired to be the principal and coach at the High School and Beth was teacher of 3rd & 4th grades. In September 1951 they moved to Arlington, Kansas where Bob was the Superintendent of School. In September 1952 Bob accepted a position as Investigator in the Civil Service Commission at a time when, because of the Rosenberg case, all people connected in any way with Atomic Energy operations were to be investigated to insure that they would not give secrets to the Russians. In September 1955, he was recruited by the CIA's Office of Security where he served until February 1980 when he retired as the Branch Chief of the Comparted Information Branch. He received the Career Intelligence Medal. He continued to work intermittently as an independent contractor on special assignments for the Office of Security until 1991.

Except for a two year tour in Greece and one year in Overland Park KS in residence with Beth's widowed mother, Bob and Beth lived in McLean, Virginia from 1961 until August 2001. Throughout those years, Bob and Beth attended Garfield Christian Church and Beth served as an Elder. They made many Elderhostel trips and the annual meetings of the Suamico Reunion Group and the Oneida High School Alumni. They were regular students in Modern Social Dancing classes. At times, Bob served as a Coach in Boys Club Football and in Little League Baseball. Beth served a term as President of the McLean AAUW and was very active in the annual AAUW Book Sales.

In August 2001, Bob and Beth moved to Brewster Place, a retirement community, in Topeka, KS. They were active participants in the many physical, social and educational activities at Brewster Place. Bob served a term as President of the Residents Council and served many years as Chairman of the Recycling Committee. Beth especially enjoyed the Quilting and the Book Review groups. Both loved to play bridge. Bob played golf as long as he was able and didn't give up driving his car until 2019. Participation in activities gradually reduced because of age and health problems. Beth had a stroke in September 2015 and Bob was diagnosed with prostate cancer in December 2017. Beth died in 2019. Bob and Beth made full use of the excellent long term care facilities at Brewster Place--an ideal place in which to gradually fade away.

Bob will be remembered by family and friends as a lifelong and passionate fan of the Chicago Cubs, University of Kansas Jayhawk teams, and the Washington Football Team.

Bob is survived by daughter Rebecca Hinton (Larry) in Topeka KS, son David in Front Royal VA, son John (Ruth) in Sarasota FL, sister-in-law Shirley Sparling in Seneca KS, Shizuo "Ken" Shibata in Temple City CA, granddaughters Jennifer, Tiffany, Laura, and Elizabeth; eight great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his younger brother Claire Bennett Sparling, his older brother John "Jack" Edgar Sparling Jr, and his wife Helen "Beth" Sparling.

Inurnment will be at the Oneida Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Brewster Place Foundation, 1205 SW 29th St., Topeka, Kansas 66611.

Dove Cremations and Funerals – Southwest Chapel is assisting the family.

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