Don Merle Sparlin

Don M. Sparlin

1937-2024

"You want a physicist to speak at your funeral. You want the physicist to talk to your grieving family about the conservation of energy, so they will understand that your energy has not died. You want the physicist to remind your sobbing mother about the first law of thermodynamics; that no energy gets created in the universe, and none is destroyed...

And you'll want the physicist to explain to those who loved you that they need not have faith; indeed, they should not have faith. Let them know that they can measure, that scientists have measured precisely the conservation of energy and found it accurate, verifiable and consistent across space and time. You can hope your family will examine the evidence and satisfy themselves that the science is sound and that they'll be comforted to know your energy's still around. According to the law of the conservation of energy, not a bit of you is gone; you're just less orderly." - Aaron Freeman

Don Merle Sparlin became a lot less orderly on December 20, 2024, and joined his wife of 65 years, Linda Plake Sparlin, who passed just two months prior. As a grandchild once said of his mother's passing, "she lived her whole life." And so he has as well.

Don was the eldest child of Sidney Merle Sparlin and Valetta Elaine Darr Sparlin, born March 29, 1937, at Joplin General Hospital near his hometown of Seneca, MO.

As a boy, "Donnie Merle" was often found at Lost Creek, either skinny dipping or fishing. Surrounded by cousins, his early years were full of love, fishing, and schooling.

His father moved the family to Lenexa, KS, to take the position of Fire Chief at the Navy airbase in Olathe, KS. An avid fisherman and gardener, Sidney Merle passed these passions along to Don, and Don shared them with Linda.

After graduating from Olathe High School in 1955, Don attended the University of Kansas in Lawrence, just 30 miles away from home. He deeply enjoyed playing trombone in the marching band, cooking for the men of Jolliffe Scholarship Hall, and steeping himself in physics academics (and phun!). He earned his bachelor of science in Engineering Physics from KU in 1959.

One evening in his last year at the University of Kansas, Don, grinning and with a twinkle in his eye, approached a smart redhead in a pencil skirt, turned on the charm, and convinced her that he was the guy for her. Their romance was lifelong. Don and Linda celebrated 65 years of marriage on May 29, 2024.

While pursuing his Physics PhD at Northwestern University, his first two daughters, Meg Brady and Jennifer Sparlin, were born. After his doctorate was conferred in 1964, the family moved to Cleveland Heights for his postdoctoral work at Case-Western Reserve. In 1968, Don became a professor in the Physics Department at the then-titled University of Missouri-Rolla (UMR), now Missouri University of Science and Technology (S&T), and brought his young family to Rolla, MO. Daughters Nancy Sparlin and Jessica Wiseman were soon added to the fold, and the Sparlins spent many happy years raising their girls amid Physics Department picnics, square dances, and Girl Scout canoe trips.

Don received many teaching accolades during his tenure at S&T. He taught thousands of engineers and scientists who went on to become astronauts, CEOs of major engineering firms, inventors, and professors, all contributing to the betterment of the world. Many of these students have remained in contact with Don throughout their careers.

For many years, Uncle Don's Magic Show was the way Don introduced the wonder of physics to audiences of all ages, but particularly grade schoolers. He kept them in stitches while they learned about physics fundamentals.

After "retiring" in 2001, his passion for teaching kept him in the classroom, continuing to teach physics and math for another 14 years. He'd found his gift – teaching. Students of his know that if they are doing the work and still need help learning, he was there. Always. Being an educator, a Professor, was who he was.

Active in Rolla area theatre, men's choir, and town band, he co-founded the World's Finest Rolla German Band in the late 1980s. His gregarious nature and articulate showmanship quickly had him in a leading role, especially when it came to singing "In Heaven There Is No Beer!" Even though Don stepped back from WFRGB a few years ago due to health issues, the band is still going strong, which is something he was immensely proud of.

Don had a large and loving personality. Often making introductions with a giant wink, saying, "This is my first wife, Linda" or blowing "Charge" on his bugle at basketball games, he loved to laugh and shared his exuberance with everyone. You knew when Don Sparlin was in the crowd. He was an engineer from childhood and could lay his hands on any piece of faulty equipment and make it work. With a chuckle at himself, he followed up these moments of pride with, "I may not always be right, but I am always certain," "Plan ahead," and "You have to hold your mouth just right."

Don is survived by his sister Sue Sparlin and niece Aura McKay of Vancouver, BC; daughters Meg Brady (Kevin) of Rolla, MO, Jennifer Sparlin of Denver, CO, Nancy Sparlin (Max Feldt) of Overland Park, KS, and Jessica Sparlin Wiseman (Scott) of Charlottesville, VA; grandchildren Lauren Oswald (Nick) of Rolla, MO, Mitchell Brady (Saba) of St. Louis, MO, Nora Feldt, Silas Feldt and Calvin Feldt of Overland Park, KS, Mattie Wiseman of Lawrence, KS, and Sid Wiseman of Charlottesville, VA; and great-grandchildren Lenexa Oswald and Eleanor Oswald of Rolla, MO. Don was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years Linda Plake Sparlin, and his parents Sidney Merle and Valetta Elaine Sparlin.

A Celebration of Don's Life will be held Sunday, January 19, 2025, from 1:00-4:00 pm at Diamond Event Center, 1325 South Bishop Avenue, Rolla MO. The family will speak at 1:30 pm. The German Band will help us all celebrate in true Don style.

To share stories and remembrances with the family, send an email to MegBrady100@gmail.com or a letter to Meg Brady, PO Box 508, Rolla MO 65402.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Don's honor to the World's Finest Rolla German Band (facebook.com/WFRGB/), the Rolla Town Band (facebook.com/rollatownband/), and the Society of Physics Students/Sigma Pi Sigma chapters at KU (kuendowment.org) or S&T (giving.mst.edu).