Clemmie Spangler Jr.

Mrs. C.D. Spangler & Family

Dear Meredith,
Dick was a great man among outstanding men and women. He always led by example. His major accomplishments in business, civic betterment, and education is a high water mark for all to follow.

His many friends, family, HBS classmates can help share the grief that you and your daughters carry.

Bethany and I enjoyed our visit with you & Dick at the beginning of our 60th reunion 2years ago. I have fondest memories of our reunion visits over the years and our meeting in Aspen.

Our prayers are with you, Anna, and Abigail.

Deepest Respects,
Frank Schurz

The entire Spangler family are in our thoughts and prayer. Anna, my West Charlotte High School classmate, may the Lord God guide you all through this transitional time. We are here for you all. God bless you all...

I married Eddie VurnsideIII in 1967. I have find memories of seeing the Spanglers at church and Dick's. role in MP and what the church stood up to defend siciall. He has made so many contributions to Educstion since then. Deepest sympathy to Meredith , abbigail and Anna. He will be missed.

Tribute from Dr. Donna J. Benson

Dear Meredith, Anna, Abigail and the Extended Family of President C.D. Spangler, Jr.

Our hearts are saddened by the loss of our esteemed UNC President Emeritus C. D. Spangler, Jr. I was honored to work on his staff for eleven years (1986-1997). His Vice Presidents and Associate Vice Presidents were always impressed by his deep and abiding love for Meredith, his daughters, son-in-law, his grandchildren, his extended family members and his dear friends.

President Spangler was a brilliant and inspired leader for the UNC constituent campuses. He clearly defined the responsibilities of all UNC Chancellors and senior administrators as servants of the people. As servants, we were charged with moving all of the campuses forward. President Spangler's expectations were high; he was adamant that we provide effective leadership that would result in UNC's continued stature as the preeminent university system in the United States. We studied the accomplishments of his esteemed predecessor, President Emeritus William C. Friday, so that we could build on his legacy. President Spangler sent us to Harvard to learn how to provide informed and evidence-based leadership. He actively recruited brilliant leaders like Attorney Julius L. Chambers who served as the Chancellor for North Carolina Central University from 1993-2001. President Spangler and Vice President Wyndham Robinson broke with tradition and purposefully created bridges and leadership opportunities for women in higher education. President Spangler had the remarkable ability to relate to people from all walks of life and to help them realize their dreams and goals. As he traveled throughout the state from campus-to-campus, faculty, staff, students, and friends of the university fondly called him Dr. Spangler.

The University of North Carolina system and the state of North Carolina are beneficiaries of Spangler's knowledge, business acumen, courage, and insight. We thank his beautiful family for the love and support that enabled him to lead the University of North Carolina with intelligence and wisdom. We thank God for the life, the leadership, and the inspired vision of President Emeritus C.D. Spangler, Jr.

Sincerely, Dr. Donna J. Benson, UNC Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, (1986-2002), Interim Chancellor, North Carolina Central University, (1992) and Interim Chancellor, Fayetteville State University, (1995).

My heart is with you in the loss of your husband, father, and grandfather.
My grandfather, W.T. Bill Harris and Mr. Spangler were friends; C.D. as the Head of the School Board while my grandfather, Bill, was Head of the County Commissioners. They worked as a team to implement the school desegregation plan and all that came with this revolutionary change to Charlotte.
As you know, they were also the creators and the doers who accomplished the passage of Operation Kindergarten, putting kindergarten in every NC public school in 1972. Mr. Spangler said he and my grandfather were in Raleigh at the State Assembly for the vote and it was unanimous. He smiled saying you don't see that now"
I knew well the name of C.D. Spangler but had never met him. Working to gather details on all the projects my grandfather worked on and to talk with those who had known him beyond my own experiences with my beloved grandfather; I found Mr. Spangler's home address. Writing him a letter introducing myself, asking for a chance to speak with him; I soon got a phone call from his secretary. She informed me I must be special since Mr. Spangler no longer did interviews!
Mr. Spangler and I met in 2011 in his office on Morehead Street. When he walked in the room I knew instantly why he and W.T. had been friends. A strong presence, the feel of a leader, charisma, knowing innately a good and special man was there. Growing up, I felt this same sense when Grandpa walked into a room. You didn't have to see him to know he had walked in.
Mr. Spangler and I spent such an enjoyable afternoon together. Laughing, tell stories, him passing me more details than I knew. I was so grateful for the time he spent with me that day. I recorded it, so I could just listen and not miss anything he told me.
Mr. Spangler related how his father had been on the first Board of Directors for Harris Supermarkets and Harris-Teeter. He wanted Baptists he said. He verified some of the remarkable stories I heard about the two of them crossing the State to gain full support for kindergarten in the legislature.
Mr. Spangler voiced how Operation Kindergarten was one project he was most proud. Second, to his daughter, Anna, being the first woman director on the subsequent Ruddick Corporation Board.
W.T. was a man I watched, listened, and grew my values for service and humanity. As his granddaughter, I adored him and was with him and my grandmother, LaVerne, several times a week.
I have no doubt you feel this weight losing such a great man who touched the lives of so many and that of such a beloved part of your lives. He will always be with you.

Mr. Spangler was an honest, caring, ethical person and I am proud to have had the opportunity to work with him in the past. His legacy will live on in his wonderful family.

My hope is that the Spangler family will be strengthened by their faith and sustained by good memories. My best to all of you. A life well lived.

Stuart Mauney

As a friend of the family through my journey at Eastover Elementary, Alexander Graham Middle School, and West Charlotte High School, my deepest condolences.

To the family, I appreciate so much all the efforts that Mr. Spangler did in the behalf of Charlotte, North Carolina and The University of North Carolina. He was a righteous man

My condolences to your family. As a graduate of CMS and UNC, I am so thankful for the leadership Mr. Spangler gave to both.

Independence HS Class of '81
UNC Chapel Hill Class of '85

President Spangler was one of the greatest human beings that I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. I respected and looked up to him a great deal. My service on the UNC Board of Governor's from 1991-1997 was enhanced by his superb leadership and love for our great university. My condolences to Mrs. Spangler and the entire Spangler family. We all will truly miss him.