Obituary of Robert T. Spangle

Robert Tiffany Spangle, 94, of Venice, Florida, passed away on Friday, April 11, 2008 at his residence, Summerville Assisted Living. He was born on November 22, 1913 to Roy C. and Calicia (nee Tiffany) in Rochester, NY. He graduated from Fenn College (now called Cleveland State University) with a Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He married and raised his family in Bay Village, Ohio. While being stationed in Cleveland, he served in the U.S. Coast Guard during WWII. He and his brother Richard, who preceded him in death, owned and operated an industrial tool supply company in that City. After the death of his wife, Marguerite, he moved to Cape Cod and later married his second wife Lynne and helped raise the two youngest sons still living at home. Lynne preceded Robert in death and he later moved to Nokomis and Venice, Florida for retirement. Robert was an active Mason and a member of the Shrine in Cleveland and Sarasota where he rarely missed playing his tuba at concerts and parades. He was also a member of the Chatham and Barnstable Concert Bands in Cape Cod as well as being a long-time member of the Venice Concert Band. He was known for his quick humor and never forgetting a joke. There were many fond memories of his summer visits at Corey Lake in Three Rivers, Michigan where he enjoyed watching his seven great-grandchildren play. Survivors include daughters Barbara Parker of Venice, Florida and Roberta (Thomas) Flatland of Glenview, Illinois; Step-Children Rick, Dee, John Crate, Geoffrey, Warren and Ian, living in Massachusetts and Virginia; Grandchildren Jennifer Parker-(Sanders) Stanton of Pasadena, California, Heather (Mark) Farnham of Northfield, Illinois, Holly (Jeff) Briggeman of Evanston, Illinois and Timothy (Ashley) Flatland of Chicago, Illinois. Robert’s older grandson, Christopher Parker passed away at the age of 20 in 1984. Also included are seven Great-grandchildren, Jensen, Maia, Owen and Luke Briggeman and Hannah, Sophie and Benjamin Farnham, and many nieces and nephews. He will miss the birth of his eighth great-grandchild in November. A Memorial Service is planned for Monday, April 21st, 2 PM, at Summerville Assisted Living Facility. Contributions may be made in Robert’s name to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL, 33607-1460.