Rick Sprague

Rick Sprague, PhD, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, psychologist, and community advocate, passed away on March 5, 2025, at the age of 81 in Norwood, MA. Born on April 14, 1943, in Lewiston, Idaho, Rick dedicated his life to making the world a better place through his work and personal passions.

After receiving his education from Stanford University, Duke University, and Boston University, Dr. Sprague established a private practice in 1986. As a clinical psychologist, he provided unwavering support to individuals and families, always with deep empathy and a belief in the power of healing. His professional impact was profound, notably through his founding and leadership of Charms Collaborative. This multi-municipality agency, under his guidance for over 30 years, offered special education programs to students with diverse needs across seven school districts.

Beyond his professional contributions, Rick found joy in playing the piano, dancing, and was always drawn to the melodies that connected people across generations and backgrounds. His love for music was matched only by his love for his family-his adoring wife, Diane Sher; his children, Milo Sprague, Jared Sprague, and Adrienne Sprague; and his cherished granddaughter, Maya Sprague. To them, he was not just a source of guidance and wisdom, but also of laughter, warmth, and boundless love.

Rick lived with the belief that small acts of kindness could create ripples of change, and he embodied this philosophy in every community he touched. His legacy is one of generosity, passion, and a relentless commitment to bettering the lives of others. Though he is no longer with us, his spirit will continue to inspire those who were fortunate enough to know him.

A memorial service and a celebration of life will be held in his honor at the Four Points in Norwood, MA, on Saturday, April 19th, 2025, from 1pm to 4pm.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Massachusetts Audubon Society (https://www.massaudubon.org) or the Boston Food Bank (https://www.gbfb.org), organizations that were important to Rick and reflect his spirit of community support and care for nature.