Spickard, Robert 1920-1942

SPICKARD, HOLVERSON, LARGE, BAKLEY

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 10/28/2006 at 21:22:39

Local Aviator Meets Death
Robert W. Spickard
Killed As Plane
Crashes In East
Was Commissioned As
An Ensign in Navy
March 12th

Robert Spickard, 22 years old former Ogden youth was killed in an airplane crash at Norfolk, Va., Tuesday, April 7th according to a telegram received by Mr. and Mrs. John Holverson of this city.

Robert who attended the local high school and later attended Junior College at Santa Ana, California had just completed his training in aviation school at Miami and Jacksonville, Florida and was commissioned an Ensign on March 12th. He just returned from California where he had visited his folks, when the crash snuffed out his life.

The remains will be returned to Ogden for burial and funeral services will be held this weekend with services at the Methodist church and burial in Glenwood cemetery.

Surviving are his father and mother, H.E. Spickard and Mrs. Grace Spickard of Santa Anna, California; one brother, J. Meredith Spickard of Kodiac, Alaska and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Spickard of Seattle, Washington and two uncles and aunts. Mrs. Holverson is one of the aunts.

Robert was born October 12 1920 here at Ogden.
(Picture included; Ogden Reporter, Thursday, April 9, 1942, pg. 1)
---------------------------------
Robt. W. Spickard
Was Victim Of
Plane Crash
Military Rites Held By
The Edward Maas
Legion Post

Military funeral rites were held at the Methodist church Tuesday afternoon, April 14, 1942 for Robert Spickard, age 21 years, who was killed in an airplane crash at Norfolk, Virginia Tuesday, April 7. The Rev. Paul McDade officiated.

A military escort was supplied by the local post of the American Legion and all business houses were closed during the funeral services.

A quartet composed of Mr. and Mrs. O. F. Ehlers, Mrs. Russell Knudsen and Sydney Stumbo sang the hymns "Abide With Me," and "God Be With You Till We Meet Again." Mrs. Harold Denney presided at the organ.

Floral tributes were taken care of by Mrs. L. E. Crosman, Mrs. Frank Porter and Mrs. O. W. Clark.
Pallbearers were: Stanley Goben, Wesley Peterson, Donald Claussen, James Wingfield, Milton Sherbring, and Pete Garvey.

Those who attended the services from a distance were: H.E. Spickard of Santa Ana, California, Dr. P. W. Spickard and William Spickard of Boston, Massachusets, Frank Ewing, Mr. and Mrs. Loraine Ewing and Mr. and Mrs. Helmoth Wolfe of Des Moines.

His brother, J. Meredith Spickard, who is in the armed service at Sitka, Alaska, was unable to attend.

Obituary

Ensign Robert William Spickard was born at Ogden, Iowa, October 14, 1920. He died following an airplane crash at Norfolk, Virginia, April 6, 1942, at the age of 21 years, 5 months and 22 days.

On the journey to Ogden, the body was accompanied by Ensign Wylie Kendig, who was Robert's classmate and intimate friend.

The deceased is survived by his mother, Mrs. Grace Spickard; by his father H.E. Spickard of Santa Ana, California; by one brother J. Meredith Spickard, of Sitka, Alaska; by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. W.W. Spickard, of Seattle, Washington; by two aunts, Mrs. John Holverson, of Ogden, and Mrs. G. E. Large, of Columbus, Ohio; and by two uncles, Dr. V.W. Spickard, of Seattle, Wash., and Dr. Paul Spickard, of Boston, Mass.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Bakley, who were pioneer residents of Ogden.

Robert united with the Methodist Church at Seattle at the age of ten years. He was a fine, clean Christian boy, a brilliant mind and an honored aviation officer of the U.S. Navy. His accidental death is a tragic loss not only to his relatives and friends but to the nation.

(Also featured a photo of graveside services. From the Ogden Reporter, Thursday, April 16, 1942)