Charles Dixon Spangler

SPANGLER-Charles Dixon Spangler, longtime resident of San Marino, who in recent years resided with his beloved wife of more than 36 years, Barbara D. Spangler, at Casa Dorinda in Montecito, C alifornia passed away quietly in his sleep at Casa Dorinda on October 31, 2007. He was 93. Mr. Spangler was born November 25, 1913 in Springfield, Missouri and grew up, an only child, in Missouri and Oklahoma. He entered Purdue University in 1932 to study chemical engineering but soon transferred to the University of Missouri from which he graduated with a degree in journalism. Shortly after graduation he moved to Los Angeles and began a long career first as a reporter and then in public relations. He worke d initially as a reporter and editor at TheHollywood Reporter from 1937-1939 and then became assistant publicity director for Republic Pictures from 1939-1941.He served in the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant during World War II from 1942-1946. He married Kay Teplin in 1944 and their only child, Laurie Kate, was born in November 1945. Mr. Spangler returned to The Hollywood Reporter after the war where he served as managing editor from 1946-1948. Thereafter he was a publicity director; first for Sam uel Goldwyn Productions and then for David Selznick Productions. After leaving the studios he spent the next several years as a Senior Account Executive with Hill and Knowlton at that time the world's largest public relations firm. He later formed his own public relations company, Spangler Public Relations, which for the next twenty years represented corporate clients, including Norris Industries, Hughes Air West and Clary Corporation. His wife, Kay Spangler, died following surgery in 1962.Fortunately, in t he late 1960's he met Barbara Salisbury, herself a widow. Barbara and Charlie fell in love and were married July 31, 1971. Together they made their primary home in San Marino where they were members of the Valley Hunt Club and Annandale Golf Club. He was especially fond of The Athenaeum at Cal Tech. They had many dear friends in the Pasadena and Santa Barbara areas and thoroughly enjoyed time spent with them. They also loved to travel. They also spent many wonderful summers at their cottage at Birnam Wood G olf Club in San Marino. With his marriage to Barbara Charlie became stepfather to Barbara's three grown daughters, Gail Titus, Joan Bolton and Leigh Layman and eventually "Gramps" to their eight children and sixteen grandchildren in addition to Laurie's and, son-in-law EricNelson's, two children, Jessica and Cassidy Nelson. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, friends contribute to a charity of their choice. A private celebration of his life will be held by family members.