Daniel Richardson "Rick" Sprott

Daniel Richardson “Rick” Sprott, 72, of Columbia, SC passed away on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

Born in Greenville, SC, son of Chovine Richardson Sprott III and Elizabeth Avinger Tomlinson, Rick grew up in Columbia and graduated from Dreher High School, class of 1970.

After studying at Wofford College and The University of South Carolina, Rick went on to have a forty-plus-year career in broadcast engineering. Over the years, he worked for most of the local TV stations in Columbia and consulted for stations around the country. Rick truly had a gift for deciphering new technologies and was one of the last few in the television community that still knew how to broadcast through analog.

Rick loved a good scotch and spirited dinner conversations with family. An active churchgoer, he was a member of St. Martin’s In-the-Fields Episcopal Church, even serving in the choir for many years. Rick’s deep, bass voice won the hearts of many parishioners. ‘Pappy’ was his new favorite nickname proudly given to him by his two-year-old granddaughter, Elizabeth Lee.

Surviving are his wife, Margaret Britt Sprott; son, Joseph Richardson Sprott (Claire); daughter, Ashley Elizabeth Sprott Hilsman (Win, Elizabeth); half-brother, Jerry Morrison (Janet, Jay); half-sister, Carol Self (Kenneth); cousin, Beth Wickenberg Ely (Duncan, Penn); and cousin, Nancy Wickenberg Cobb (Tommy, Ben, Charlie).

He was predeceased by his father and mother; aunt, Ann Keller Sprott; and godfather, Charles Herbert Wickenberg, Jr.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at St. Martin’s In-the-Fields Episcopal Church. The family will receive friends following the service in the Parish Hall. Then proceed to the burial in Holly Hill, SC at Holly Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the music ministry program at St. Martin’s In-the-Fields Episcopal Church.