RICHARD L. SPRINGSTON

Richard L. Springston, age 83, of Laughlin, Nev., died Friday, December 30, 2011, at Western Arizona Regional Medical Center in Bullhead City, Ariz.

Mr. Springston was born November 27, 1928, in Chicago, Ill., to Russell Lowell and Esther (Sheridan) Springston. He married Margaret "Peggy" Teas in 1954, and to this union three children were born. He married Lydia Salvatico on Aug. 26, 1989, in California. She preceded him in death on November 16, 2001.

Mr. Springston, a U.S. Air Force veteran, was a self-employed carpenter who operated his own construction company in the Chicago, Ill. area. He was a pioneer builder in Schaumburg, Ill., which grew from a small rural community to one of the most populous suburbs in the United States. At the dawn of the Schaumburg boom, Mr. Springston's five-man crew constructed 50 homes in a single year. He also built and co-owned the Sans Souci Apartments in Mt. Prospect, Ill. Mr. Springston moved to California in 1976, and was involved in reconstruction efforts following the Northridge Earthquake.

After retiring to Laughlin, Nev., Mr. Springston became an active member of American Legion Post 60. Mr. Springston oversaw all aspects of the development and construction of the post home at Bruce Woodbury Drive, and remained active in its operation. He is a past Commander of the post, and also served as its Chief Financial Officer for many years. He was also active in the Laughlin Chamber of Commerce, and was a member of the Moose and Elks.

He was preceded in death by three wives, and his parents.

He is survived by his three children, Michael (Becky) Springston of Sparta, Ill., Diane (Rick) Kronberg of Palatine, Ill., and John (Linnea) Springston of McHenry, Ill.; one brother, Bill Springston of Huntley, Ill.; four grandchildren, Kristin and Erika Kronberg and David and Katie Springston; and many friends, particularly his adopted family at American Legion Post 60.

Memorial services for Mr. Springston will be held at a later date in Laughlin and Illinois. Funeral arrangements are under the auspices of the Desert Lawn Funeral Home in Fort Mohave, Ariz.

Memorials may be made in the form of donations to Laughlin American Legion Post 60, PO Box 30648, Laughlin, NV 89028.