Corporal Spencer Roman Bartley Collart, USMC

Spencer passed away on the Tiwi Islands at 0930 Sunday August 27, 2023, Darwin Australia time. Spencer was Crew Chief of the Osprey MV-22 that crash landed during exercise Predator’s Run, a series of war games being held in northern Australia between the militaries of the United States, Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Timor-Leste. The crew was heralded to have landed the plane in such a way resulting in twenty survivors. A natural leader, Spencer recently qualified as an instructor and was mentoring other Osprey crew chiefs. Spencer’s military awards include the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

Spencer grew up in Arlington, Virginia, where he attended pre-K at Drew Model’s Montessori program. From there, Spencer attended Taylor ES where he achieved first place in the National Science League competition in 2012 and was an actor in the school’s Music Man performance. Spencer enjoyed Cub and Boy Scouts and always found entrepreneurial ways to enhance their camping experiences. Spencer was an all-around sports player from baseball, travel and rec soccer, flag football, taekwondo, wrestling, basketball, and lacrosse.

During middle school he attended Swanson where he took Latin and participated in Certamen. Spencer started high school with the inaugural class of Arlington Tech in 2016 - that year he received the Academic Merit Award and took his first aviation class. Spencer graduated from Washington Liberty HS where he played Defenseman and Long Stick Midfielder on the varsity lacrosse team. He held strong passions; his love for Stella the family dog, a deep love for his ever-growing extended family, a proficient reader from ancient mythology to technical manuals, an avid Lego builder, Dota 2 player, and nature lover with a special interest in the wolves at Yellowstone.

Spencer attended St. Mary’s Episcopal and Cherrydale Baptist churches for his spirituality and faith and was always one of the first to ask challenging questions of the clergy. Spencer’s sweet personality and charm illuminated all who were around him. Spencer loved life, loved to have fun, and especially loved those who could make him laugh. After graduating high school, Spencer found his true calling and purpose with the Air Crew for the Marine corps – The Few and The Proud – Always Faithful.

Spencer graduated Basic Training and MCT in Parris Island, SC January 2021 and was stationed in Pensacola, FL for basic water survival training. After graduating, he moved to New River, NC where he completed basic mechanical training and flight training and earned his Air Crew gold wings. Spencer was stationed in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii to the Red Lions, VMM-363. Deployed to Australia in 2023, Spencer had the opportunity to compete in a regatta with the locals, attend a rugby match, and celebrate his 21st birthday with a Great Northern beer. One of his proudest moments was when Spencer flew in the Osprey V22 with Major Toby Lewis and Captain Ellie LeBeau in front of thousands of spectators at the Gold Coast air show. Having many dreams and goals, Spencer had submitted his paperwork to be a pilot, diligently created a savings plan, had plans to buy his first home and was learning to play the guitar.

Spencer will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery Monday, September 25th.

Spencer is survived by his parents, Bartley and Alexia Collart, sister Gwyneth Collart, paternal Grandmother Bonnie Collart, Aunt Carole and Uncle Wayne Eagleson, Aunt Robin and Uncle Mike Nealon, Aunt Zara Moore, Uncle Dan Moore, Uncle Eric Moore, cousins Tucker Eagleson, Travis Eagleson (and Lisa), Kaitlin Snodgrass (and Blake), Whitney Lynn (and Matt), Julian and Jocelyn Moore, and great cousins Brooke, Bennett, Amelia and Remi, and God parents Maureen Nugent and Ed Newhook.

Donations may be made to the Wingman Foundation.

Base Access Link:

https://pass.aie.army.mil/jbmhh