Dr. David Arthur Spring

Dr. David Arthur Spring passed away unexpectedly at his home in Baton Rouge on Saturday, July 18, 2020. He was born 79 years ago in Zanesville, Ohio. Dr. Spring was dedicated to furthering the profession of podiatry, serving as president of the Louisiana Podiatric Medical Association, Alpha Gamma Kappa fraternity, and the Federation of Podiatry Boards. He contributed to the Reader's Digest series "I Am Joe's Foot," and published an award-winning article on "The Clinico-etiologic Features of Ainhum." Dr. Spring moved to Baton Rouge in 1965 to set up his medical practice, and quickly became involved in community service as president of the Baton Rouge Civitan Club and the organization now known as The Arc Baton Rouge. An Army veteran with an avid interest in history, he became president of the Baton Rouge Civil War Roundtable. He loved pursuing his hobby of big-game hunting around the world and was a founding member and president of the Central Louisiana Chapter of Safari Club International. As a champion of wildlife conservation, he was involved in the effort to save the Louisiana black bear, served as president of Louisiana Operation Game Thief, and was a charter member of the Louisiana Wildlife Federation. In retirement, Dr. Spring took up cooking, serving his family and friends gourmet meals and taking classes from Leah Chase, who so impressed him that he raised funds to help start the Leah Chase Gallery at the Southern Food and Beverage Museum. Dr. Spring is survived by his devoted wife of 57 years, Lorie A. Spring, his daughter Andrea L. Spring of Washington, D.C., his son David A. Spring Jr. and grandchildren Cieran A. Spring and Emileigh E. Spring of Reno, Nevada, his brother Thomas H. Spring of Akron, Ohio, former sister-in-law Janet R. Spring, and his nieces Wendy R. Seikel of Akron, Ohio, and Tamara G. Mitchell, of Red Oak, Texas. He was preceded in death by his mother, Aundah W. Spring, and his father, Harold A. Spring, former co-owners of the Byesville Pottery Company. Dr. Spring attended Ohio State University and was awarded his D.P.M. from what is now the Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine. As a dedicated football fan, he cheered on LSU at many bowl games, but his first loyalty was always to his beloved Buckeyes. A private memorial mass will be celebrated at St. George Catholic Church on Friday, July 24, 2020. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine General Scholarship Fund, in memory of David Spring, DPM, Class of 1964. Donations can be made online at www.kent.edu/cpm/support or by mail to: Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine, Attn: Office of Advancement, 6000 Rockside Woods Blvd., Independence, OH 44131.