Ralph Sorlie Spear

The Reverend Doctor COL (Ret) Ralph Sorlie Spear, 93, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 16, 2024, in Greensboro, NC, surrounded by loved ones. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 4pm on August 31, 2024, at Bethel Presbyterian Church in McLeansville, NC. The Rev. Paul Rhodes and Rev. Tony VanCura to officiate. Full military honors will be performed by the U.S. Army Honor Guard immediately following the service.

Ralph was born on February 9, 1931, to the late Christian and Ingborg Spear in Greenville, Michigan. He pursued an extensive education, earning a B.A. in Psychology and Philosophy from Dana College, Blair, NE, in 1954; a Master of Divinity from Trinity Seminary, Dubuque, IA, in 1958; a M.S. in Guidance and Counseling from Long Island University, Brooklyn, NY, in 1973; and a Doctor of Ministry (D. Min) from Luther Theological Seminary, St. Paul, MN, in 1980. His thesis was titled "Parenting Enriched Through the Priesthood of All Believers."

Ralph’s first pastoral ministry began as an Intern at Nazareth Lutheran, Cedar Falls, IA from 1955 – 1956. His first call was as a pastor at a two-point parish, Luverne Lutheran Church and Hofva Lutheran Church, Luverne, ND from 1958 - 1963. He entered the US Army in 1963 as a Chaplain with the 11th Air Assault Division/1st Air Cavalry Division in Fort Benning, Georgia. It was during this assignment that he earned his Parachutist Badge, a distinction he revered to his last days – “AIRBORNE!!” as he was fond of saying with much enthusiasm. As an airborne troop chaplain Ralph completed rigorous training and jumps with his troops.

Ralph’s commitment to his country continued as he served as the Battalion Chaplain for the 1st Battalion of the 8th Air Cavalry, where he traveled to Vietnam on the USNS Geiger. As part of the “Jumping Mustangs,” his unit built their own A-frame chapel in the jungle, although many services were also held in foxholes or in front of helicopters. He held the camaraderie of the Jumping Mustangs in high regard attending as many of their reunions as possible.

Following Vietnam, COL (Ret) Spear became the Assistant US Army Combat Developments Command Experimentation Center (USACDCEC) Chaplain at Fort Ord, California before he was stationed overseas in Japan as Post Chaplain in Hokkaido and then Okinawa. His final active-duty station was Fort Bragg, NC in 1973, as the Assistant Staff Chaplain to the Special Forces at the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School.

During his tenure, the Army went through a significant drawdown following the Vietnam War, and COL (Ret) Spear was honorably discharged from active duty. His service did not end there though, as he continued to serve in the Army Reserves from 1976-1989. COL (Ret) Ralph Spear officially retired with 12 years of active-duty service and 13 years of serving in the Army Reserves.

His military service was recognized by awards that included Presidential Unit Citation, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal 2nd OLC, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Battle Stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Parachute Badge, Air Assault Badge.

After completing his course work for his D. Min. degree at Luther Seminary in St Paul, MN, he accepted a call to be Pastor of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Congregation, Grafton, ND, from 1977 - 1980. During that period, he finished his dissertation for his D. Min. degree. Subsequently, from 1980 - 1982, he completed his Clinical Pastoral Education, along with being Interim Pastor at Ascension Lutheran Church, St. Louis Park, MN.

From 1982 to 1993, Ralph served as the Chaplain/Pastor at Passavant Retirement and Health Center in Zelienople, PA. Following retirement and prior to moving to North Carolina, he served in interim ministry as Pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church in North Versailles, a suburb of Pittsburgh, then as an interim Pastor of St. John’s Lutheran (Stone) Church in rural Harmony, PA. Later he served as interim Pastor for St. Paul’s Lutheran Congregation in Burlington, NC.

His father, Rev. C.L. Spear, passed when Ralph was 1½ yrs old. As the ‘man of the house’, he learned how to do many things at home by himself. He was an early adopter of DIY and passed that characteristic to his family. Ralph loved to work on cars, doing maintenance, needed repairs, and bodywork. He enjoyed doing home updates including building a darkroom, finishing a basement, adding new electrical circuits, adding a bathroom, and the list goes on. Ralph was a ‘tinkerer’ too, enjoying ‘computering’ and electronics. His hobbies included golfing, motorcycling, archery, chess, photography, and hunting (rabbits, squirrels, doves, and deer). He also liked to downhill ski, which some of his children and grandchildren are still passionate about today.

Ralph’s family will always remember some of his favorite sayings which include: ‘The best part of plenty of time is the first part!’; when cleaning up, ‘Take your own things and one thing more!’; and when taking pictures, ‘Say ostrich eggs!’ or ‘Frog legs in the frying pan!’ to get people to smile.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Nina; his children: Jon Spear (Petra) of Bethesda, MD; Ron Spear (Karin) of Naples, FL; Susan Fournier (Bryan) of Greensboro, NC; and Jeff Spear (Kate) of Cary, NC; ten grandchildren: Anders and Linnea Spear; Bryan (Audie), Devin (Abigail), and Erik (Carey) Spear; Samantha (Martin) Carlson, Christopher, and Jonathan Spear; and Gwendolyn and Vivienne Spear; and six great-grandchildren: Luke and Anna Spear; Everett Spear; and Gordon, Jessica, and Aaron Carlson; in addition to several nieces and nephews, extended family members and friends. In addition to Ralph’s parents, he was preceded in death by his son, David Spear (Ellie), as well as his older sisters, Marion Eskildsen and Faith Andersen.

The family is deeply grateful for the care provided by ComForCare staff, particularly Ludwina Kotter, who helped care for Ralph in his last several months. Also, the family is thankful for the support of staff and friends of Heritage Greens Sr. Living. The staff of Wesley Long Medical Center, WhiteStone Skilled Nursing Facility, and AuthoraCare Hospice were also much appreciated during Ralph’s final days.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given in Ralph’s honor to Bethel Presbyterian Church, 300 Knox Road, McLeansville, NC 27301, Christ Lutheran Church, 3600 Lawndale Drive, Greensboro, NC 27408, or a charity of your choice.

To share fond memories and expressions of sympathy with Ralph’s family, please visit his obituary page at AdvantageGreensboro.com.