Kenneth Franklin Spoor

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Hampton Roads Academy

Kenneth Spoor Obituary

NEWPORT NEWS - Kenneth Franklin Spoor, 85, of Beechwood Hills, died April 3, 2007. Having taught at Hampton Roads Academy for 20 years, he retired from Colonial Williamsburg Foundation as an historical interpreter. A lifelong passion for books and bookbinding led him to pursue his interest in paper marbling as a founding member of Blue Skies Gallery. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Paradise Spoor; children, Cornelia, Victoria, and Jan W. S. Spoor; and three grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions should be made to Bruton Parish Church, Williamsburg, VA, to Hampton Roads Academy, Newport News, VA, or to the Sierra Club. The Cremation Society of Virginia, Peninsula Office, Newport News, is in charge of arrangements.

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Published by Daily Press on Apr. 8, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Kenneth Spoor

12 Entries

Barry Coombs

August 15, 2007

Sorry to hear of the loss of Mr. Spoor. During my time with him at HRA I really disliked him as he was a hard teacher and I didn't understand a great deal of what he was doing. Later in life I realized that the lessons he taught me were some of the most valuable; specifically how to think and to effectively convey those thoughts in writing. This gift he gave meant far more to my life and career than any math or science skills! He will be missed!

Chris Vulpe

August 12, 2007

Dear All,
I was saddened to hear of Mr. Spoor's death. He was truly one of the most inspirational people I have ever encountered. His challenging, thoughtful and exciting classes will be with me always.
Sincerely,
Chris Vulpe

Harriet Yake

July 31, 2007

Dear Mrs. Spoor, Cornelia, Victoria, and Jan,
I just read today about your loss and wanted to express my deepest sympathy. I feel very lucky that I decided to return to HRA last October (for the first time in twenty or so years) and had the opportunity to spend some time with Mr. Spoor at the Alumni cocktail party. I was delighted that he remembered me; he, of course, was a teacher that I could never forget. Reading Susan Smith's message reminded me of those journals he had us use. While I, too, spent lots of time writing in them as we were assigned, Susan and I spent a lot of time making up MadLib-ish stories which we recorded in them as well. He never let on that he had read them, which is probably good. I also must admit that I spent years trying to emulate his elegant handwriting and finally admitted mine would never look as good as his and let it go.
As a teacher now myself, I can only hope that one of my students will think of me the way I do of Mr. Spoor many years after they have left my classroom. He was a truly exceptional man.

Mark Goldstein

July 30, 2007

Dear Mrs. Spoor, Cornelia, Victoria and Jan,

I just read about Mr. Spoor's death today and am so very sad and sorry for your loss. For many years I have been running into Mr. and Mrs. Spoor around the peninsula and somehow always thought that would go on forever. Mr. Spoor(and Mrs. Spoor) would always greet me with such warmth and heartfelt feeling: I always walked away beaming actually believing all the nice things he would tell me.

He (and all of you) will always be a fond memory for me. Wish the best to all of you...

Dixon Withers-Julian

May 18, 2007

Dear Family,

I just learned of Kenneth's passing yesterday. I have such fond memories of our times together working at On the Hill and later at Blue Skies Gallery. The work day went by swiftly with such good company. The interest we shared in printing, calligraphy, photography, and archival preservation was special. I knew no others with whom I could share my excitement over a really good sheet of paper.

Dee and I send our love and best wishes,

Dixon Withers-Julian

Victoria Spoor

April 28, 2007

I was so fortunate as to be able to spend several days with Dad last month, and talk and laugh about old times, and I can say, he never forgot a single one of us. He championed those who had to try harder.

Thanks for your kind thoughts.

Victoria Spoor

Susan Branch Smith

April 25, 2007

Dear Family,

I was shocked today to hear of Mr. Spoor's death. His venomous glare (purely theatrical, in retrospect, of course), never to strike another unruly 9th grader? His approving smile never to be bestowed again?

I constantly credit Mr. Spoor with my interest in the written word. In the 9th grade, I reluctantly kept the journal that he mandated, periodically collected, and commented on. I wanted, I discovered, to please him. I continued writing in those grey, blue-lined, page-numbered journals for many years. No other kind of journal ever held quite the same charm, so I sought them out exclusively for a long time. And now that I write on my computer (trying to please myself, I expect, but maybe also him), I still think of him practically every time I do so (he would probably dislike that I began this sentence with a preposition and included two parenthetical remarks). Mr. Spoor gave us the gift of writing and reflection at a young age, and I for one still have each and every timeworn grey notebook, all inspired by him.

Long after high school, I was lucky enough to be invited to call Mr. Spoor "Ken." I'll never forget meeting him once again and finding that he treated me as a peer! I felt I had really met the man -- the kind, compassionate man -- and that rounded out my admiration of him.

Ken was one in a zillion. Today, I read about activities in his life (such as his art) that I'd known nothing about. I think he must have been a man willing to simply be himself, in all the forms that life made available to him. He was always interested. In everything. In everyone.

I will never forget Ken Spoor. My condolences to all of you who were lucky enough to know him so well for so long.

Susan

Eric Drum

April 16, 2007

Mr. Spoor was the most influential teacher in my life. He was tough but fair. I always characterized him as the Professor Kingsfield (ref The Paperchase) of HRA. I even named my cat Franklin!

Lee Matney and I barely got through his classes (the 3 times we had him), watching the clock come to a standstill. Years later, Mr. Spoor featured Lee's works in his Hampton gallery. It was great to see Lee, Mr. Spoor, and his plaid jacket in the same room again.

Kimberley Sands

April 15, 2007

Cornelia and Victoria,

My memories of you are filled with deep affection. And your father was the best teacher I’ve ever had. He was witty, inspiring, and so marvelously challenging. His book choices for summer reading and for classes were extraordinary, and he changed my life because of them. He taught me to read intelligently, he taught me to write, and he demonstrated such devotion to teaching. Be proud of him and yourselves.

With love,
Kim Sands

Cathy Harris Helms

April 14, 2007

Although it's been many, many years since my time at HRA, I could never possibly forget Mr. Spoor. He ranks high among my most memorable teachers and was one of the teachers most responsible for revealing the amazing gift of the English language, if used properly. My heart goes out to his family.

Alice Phillips

April 13, 2007

Mr. Spoor was easily one of the most influential teachers I ever had. His unique personality, his beautiful handwriting, his comfort with his students' discomfort, and his keen intellect made it impossible not to admire him. At the same time he could be so perplexing! Will I ever forget that "like" is a preposition?! I hope his family can find comfort in knowing what an influence Ken had on so many.

Chris Howlett

April 10, 2007

I had such respect for Kenneth (or Franklin--never quite sure what to call him): his intellect, his inquiring mind, his love of green growing things, the beautiful paper designs he created, and his kindness.

He was kind to me from Day 1, though I felt as though it took a while to earn his respect.

I was proud to think of him as my second dad for so many years.

I wish all of his family comfort in remembering their best memories of him.

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