Robert Christley Sproull

Robert Christley Sproull, age 104, passed away peacefully on April 8, 2025 in his Boerne, TX home with family by his side. He was born November 5, 1920 in New Cumberland, West (by God) Virginia to Bert and Emma Sproull. Bob had two brothers, Bill and Tom, and an older sister, Louise.
Bob graduated Valedictorian of his High School class in Chicora, PA. WWII interrupted his studies at Slippery Rock College. He served in the 80th Infantry Division in Patton's 3rd Army in the 313th Field Artillery. They landed on Omaha Beach shortly after D-Day and battled across France into Germany. They endured intense night-time bombardment near the Moselle River, but the next morning found the earth pockmarked with unexploded shells. Prisoners in a German forced labor camp had sabotaged the ammunition and saved their lives. Later he returned the favor and liberated one of those camps.
Following his discharge, he went to Dental School at the University of Pittsburgh. It was here that he said he finally understood the miracle of surviving the long war. He met Mary Margaret Moran on a blind date, and it changed his life forever. They were married on June 3, 1949, beginning a 72-year love story.
Bob returned to the Army, and with his Dental Corps assignments the family traveled the world. Army life can be full of surprises; one of those came up during the Korean Conflict when he had to leave family to serve as a dentist in the 17th Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. A combat veteran of WWII, upon arrival and much to the amusement of his tent mates, he promptly dug a foxhole under to his cot. That night they were bombed, and foxholes were no longer an object of jokes. When the ceasefire was announced, the Army graciously extended his 12-month combat tour to 18 months. His son, Bill, was a year old before he saw him for the first time.
On his return to the US, Bob was stationed at bases from the East to West Coasts and Europe. Their last station was El Paso, Texas. Bob's many service awards included the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, and the American Campaign and WWII Victory Medals, and five overseas bars. He was particularly proud of his Distinguished Unit Badge and his Combat Medic Badge from the Korean War.
After leaving the Army Bob set up a private dental practice with Dr. Myles Miller. Bob and Peg lived in El Paso for 50 years, where he immersed himself in southwest history, books and artifacts. He fondly remembered his friends and adventures with the El Paso Prospectors Club. Later he and Peg moved to Boerne, TX to be closer to family.
Bob's eclectic interests led to studies and research on diverse subjects, and to a life enriched by many and varied friendships, including treasure hunters, authors, artists, historians, and dealers in books and antiquities. Probably his greatest contribution was his study during the Army years in the application of science to color in porcelain restorations. His research resulted in the system used to this day in routine restorative dentistry. He was also instrumental in founding the American College of Prosthodontics.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, his beloved wife of 72 years and his beloved son, Bill. He is survived by his children, Elizabeth Hemphill (Dan), Brian Sproull (Lezlie), Robert Sproull, and daughter-in-law Shelley Sproull; grandchildren Kelsey Falcone (Matt), Patrick Sproull, Jessica Howell (Donald), Robert Sproull, Danny Hemphill, Noelle Hemphill (Bret) and Jordana Golding; and great grandchildren Nora Falcone, Eliza Falcone and William Falcone.