Robert H. Sprigg

1925 - 2012

Sprigg, Robert H.
1925-2012
Robert H. Sprigg, 86, of Medford, OR, passed away peacefully at home on April 19, 2012, surrounded by family. Born and raised in Denver, he met the love of his life, Jeanne Frawley, while in high school. During WWII, he served in the Navy while she served in the Coast Guard. They married in 1946. Thanks to the GI Bill, they were both able to attend college. He earned a degree in Philosophy from Regis College, and received his DDS from Creighton University in 1952, followed by a PhD in Anatomy. They raised 5 children while he established a dental practice and taught Anatomy at the University of Colorado Medical School. In 1975, he joined the Veterans Administration as Chief of Dentistry at Northridge Veterans Hospital. He supervised the residency program at the University of Southern California Westwood, while continuing to teach at USC. During his remarkable career, he was known for his innovative and pioneering work in the field of prosthetics and prosthodontics. He lectured nationally and internationally and mentored many young dentists entering the profession. He found great personal reward in creating facial prostheses for injured veterans.
Bob and Jeanne moved to Medford in 1993 where, after 21 years with the VA, he retired from the White City Veterans Center. He continued to volunteer with Veterans Stand Down events at the White City Domiciliary. He also became a Jackson County Master Gardener with a passion for roses. He designed several gardens, including the McCully House rose garden.
He is preceded in death by Jeanne, his beloved wife of 64 years, and survived by their children and spouses: Greg and Nancee Sprigg of Denver, Mary Kay Jorgensen of Medford, Maureen and Gary Demuth, Anne and Lee Kimball, Susan Haines and Fred Jenkins, all of Trail, Oregon; 8 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Private services were held, followed by interment in Eagle Point National Cemetery. His family requests that memorial contributions be made to a veteran's service organization.