Robert Joseph Springer

Robert (Bob) Springer, 86, died on Tuesday, November 15, at Hendrick Hospital, following a stroke. He was born on May 1, 1919, in Detroit, Michigan to Herman and Frances Springer. Bob had seven brothers and sisters, and the family lived most of his early years in Rochester, New York. In 1941 he graduated from the University of Rochester with a B.A., emphasis on pre-Med. That summer Bob signed a contract to play baseball with the St. Louis Cardinals, but was drafted into the U.S. Army shortly thereafter. In 1942 he married Beverly Williams of Suffern, New York, and the couple moved to Abilene, Texas, where he was stationed at Camp Barkeley. They continued to make their home in Abilene, where they raised their three daughters and became members of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. A lifelong athlete, Bob was inducted into the University of Rochester Hall of Fame in 1995 for the accomplishment of lettering in soccer, basketball, and baseball during all four of his college years. As an adult, Bob played badminton, handball, racquetball, and especially golf, which he enjoyed until the end of his life. In 1946 Bob joined Cox-Hunter-Hall Insurance Agency, and in 1951 he formed a partnership with W. Willis Cox, establishing the Cox and Springer Insurance Agency. In 1987 he joined First Southwest Insurance Agency, where he worked until the time of his death. Bob was an active member of the Abilene community, and served as an Abilene City Councilman from 1963 to 1966, as director of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce from 1978 to 1981, and as a Dyess Air Force Base Honorary Commander. He received many awards for his civic service, including Junior Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Young Man of 1952, Abilene Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Citizen of the Year in 1979, and Strategic Air Command Outstanding Community Leader in 1988. Bob's volunteer work included serving on numerous civic and non-profit boards. His most recent service was delivering Meals on Wheels. Bob is survived by his wife Beverly Springer of Abilene; his daughters Nancy Springer-Baldwin and husband Randy of Austin, Judy Henschen and husband Tony of Austin, and Carrie Springer and husband Gary Pomerantz of New York City; four grandchildren Josh Williams, Nora Henschen, and Louis Henschen of Austin, and Kate Williams of New York City; and his siblings Jack Springer of Carlsbad, California, and Tom, Frances, and Herman Springer of Rochester, New York. Funeral services will be held at 11 am Friday, November 18, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 5410 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene, Texas. The family will greet friends at 6:30 pm on Thursday, November 17, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, prior to a 7 pm prayer service. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, 1241 Walnut, Abilene, Texas 79601, or to a charity of choice.