Andrew Spranger
Former Libby resident Andrew Spranger of Lewistown died on Jan. 4, 2006.
He was born on July 7, 1916 in Turkey Knob, W. Va., to Alois and Amelia Spranger. He moved at age 2 with his mother and older sister, Barbara, to Libby following the death of his father in a coal mine accident.
Graduating from Libby High School, Andrew went on to graduate with honors from Montana State University in 1939, past president of Phi Sigma Kappa and a member of the Bobcat Marching Band. His first employment was teaching high school chemistry, mathematics and band in Roy, Mont.
He married Myrtle Overend over spring break in 1940 and two years later moved to Los Angeles to work for Lockheed Aircraft. Starting in the Tool Department and rising to Senior Management he was responsible for all production scheduling at the Burbank Division. Andrew was selected to represent Lockheed to meet with Mime and President Eisenhower for selection of the interior for a new Lockheed Constellation, to be designated Air Force One.
Andrew returned to Montana in 1955 after a successful career at Lockheed to raise his sons and purchased the Musselshell County Abstract and Title Company. Community service included activities as past president of the Roundup Rotary Club, member of the Drum and Bugle Corps, the Roundup bowling league, active member of Roundup's City Council and substitute teacher.
An avid fly fisherman he taught his sons both fishing and hunting skills. He loved his sons and their families and was very proud of them.
He and Myrtle retired to South Carolina for the warm weather and golf, where Myrtle died in 1991.
In 1992 he paid a visit to close friend Alice Johnson. Alice admitted upon seeing the rental car that she hesitated to answer the door. She never regretted that she did, from that day they were inseparable and were married Aug. 19, 1994. Together they lived in South Carolina, Roundup, and most recently Lewistown to be close to family. As Andy explains, "to ensure his beautiful wife's well-being, in the event they didn't live forever together." He was a selfless, loyal and loving husband that will be missed all day, everyday.
Andrew made a life long impression, even if you had only met him once.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Myrtle and his son Mark.
He is survived by his wife Alice of Lewistown; sister Barbara Viebrock of Spokane, Wash.; his son Paul and his wife Diane, their children, Paul Jr. and Blakley of Carmel, Ind.; son Douglas and his wife Carol and their daughter Kelly and her daughter Hanna of New York City. Two step daughters, Nancy and her husband Bob Barber and family of Lewistown, and Sallee and her husband Terry Murphree and family of Billings.
A celebration of his life will be held this spring in Roundup with a burial of his ashes at that time.