Robert Lee Sprankel

Bob was born Sept. 19, 1940, to Fred and Marie Sprankel in Billings. He was the third of five children, with brothers Glen, Dick and Don, and sister Peggy. They grew up on Billings South Side. He and his brothers kept their mom busy by way of various shenanigans, such as bringing the garden hose into the house and having a water and flour fight while she was at work! He attended school in Billings and he soon joined the U.S. Army, spending a year in Korea. After returning to Billings in 1962, he met the love of his life, Ruth and her daughter Terri. They married on June 5, 1964, and would have celebrated their 55th anniversary this year.

Bob had a very rewarding 30-year career as a salesman and manager at ITT Grinnell Co. & Dana Kepner Co., retiring in 1996 at the young age of 55 to enjoy the things he truly loved to do: gardening, pool duty, cabana boy, traveling, caretaker of gnomes, and most importantly, spoiling the light of his life, his granddaughter Lexi.

Our family has many wonderful memories of camping, boating, fishing and summer vacations. Bob also enjoyed bowling for many years and played many rounds of golf with his son-in-law, David.

Bob passed away at age 78 on April 9, 2019. He was preceded in death by his parents Fred and Marie Sprankel, Ervin Granlund, brothers Glen and Richard, as well as his sister Peggy. He is survived by his wife, Ruth; his daughter ,Terri Dysart and her husband David of Spokane, Washington; his granddaughter Lexi of Los Angeles; brother Don and Debby Sprankel of Pocatello, Idaho; sisters-in-law Margie and Gary Laferriere and Janice Benge of Sanford, Florida; as well as many nieces and nephews.

A memorial and celebration of life will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at the 2905 Event Center, 2905 Montana Ave., Billings. Our family hopes you will all come with your favorite stories of your time with Bob, a.k.a. Bobby, Bubba, Bobby Bingo and Gramps.

If you would like to memorialize or honor Bob, the best thing you could do is go outside, put your hands in the dirt and plant some flowers as that is what he loved to do most.