David John Sprang

April 11, 1946 – September 29, 2017

David John Sprang, 71, passed away on September 29, 2017. He was diagnosed with ocular melanoma in 2011 and remained in otherwise good health until it metastasized in September of 2016 to his liver. He fought it using several types of treatments, throughout the year, but it was resistant to any type of drug. He passed away at home with family by his side.

David was born in Huron, South Dakota on April 11, 1946. He grew up on his parent’s farm north of DeSmet , SD. He loved the years when he attended a one room schoolhouse. He would drive a tractor while still in elementary school, with his younger brother in a cart on the back, to and from school, even in the South Dakota snowy winters. He remembered playing the piano for the small rural church which he attended with his family.

As a high school senior, his family moved from South Dakota to southern California. He finished high school in Santa Ana, CA, spent two years at college in Huron, SD, and then finished his college education at Cal-State Fullerton. Receiving a teaching credential from Chapman University and eventually a Master’s Degree from Pepperdine, he entered teaching, which became his lifelong career.

During his forty year career with HBUHSD, the first 20 years were spent teaching high school Social Studies, Geography, and Reading. The second 20 years he moved to Huntington Beach High School and became the Auto Shop teacher there. He developed a countywide auto program for high school students, both on campus at HBHS and off site at various car repair shops and dealerships throughout Orange County. After training his students for several semesters in the classroom, he would place them on the job, observing them learning from professional mechanics. He was so happy to see many of these students go on to work in the automotive field and sometimes even become the trainers for his later students.

In addition to teaching during the day, he had a small business working on the cars of friends and family. He was a gifted mechanic and customers would marvel at his ability to diagnose and fix any problem. As his father had before him, if a part or a tool was not available, he would design and create what was needed.

When David remarried in 1996, he no longer had the space to do car repair work as a business. His free time then became centered around new, as well as established hobbies. Always an avid bicyclist he would ride with friends whenever he could, on weekends and holidays. He rode his bicycle to work for years and would park his bike in his classroom. He even rode through the Netherlands and parts of France and Germany on his bike during two separate trips. He enjoyed exercising at the gym before work most mornings and continued this into his retirement. He continued hiking and backpacking with his friends for many years.

Always looking for new interests, he took up sailing, tennis, swimming, ballroom dancing, and studied French. He loved to travel, taking many trips to Europe with his wife, Robin, after he retired in 2008. Pulling his trailer and later driving his motor home, he traveled far and wide in the US. He would easily drive to the East Coast or north to Canada and then spend a month or 2 exploring new areas with Robin and sometimes with extended family.

He was a board member and then president of the homeowners association where he lived with his wife, Robin. He was well liked and respected in the neighborhood and was always a source of friendly advice. One of his favorite memories was as a member and later president of the University High School Marching Band parent booster group to which, along with his wife, he was devoted for four years. For over ten years, he was associated with the Assistance League of Irvine. He became one of the first men to be a member of the organization. He was the building manager as well as the fix-it, build-it, go-to guy for just about any problem. His love for ALI was evident in every task he completed for this organization. He loved being helpful and being able to use his numerous tools was an extra bonus.

As recently as this past summer when he and his wife, Robin, traveled to various locations to look into clinical trials, he took advantage of the adventure to find new places to see and new museums to visit. He loved art, especially European Impressionists. He loved organ and classical music, even though he had been especially fond of country-western in his earlier years.

He will be missed by many people, especially his family and many friends. His mother, Shirley Sprang, predeceased him this past March and his father, Dennis Sprang in 2006. He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Robin, and children, Jenny Malone and Tim McCormick who treasured their 21 years with him; his brother, Kermit Sprang; his daughter Amy Sprang Mitchell and his son Jonathan Sprang; grandchildren, Sarah, Katie, Riley and Caleb.

A Celebration of Life is planned for Sunday, October 29th at 3:00 p.m. at the Irvine United Congregational Church at 4915 Alton Parkway in Irvine, CA. Family, friends, coworkers and former students are welcome to attend this service. Immediately following the service there will be a reception in the church reception hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ocular Melanoma Foundation which can be found online: ocularmelanoma.org

Arrangements under the direction of Pacific View Memorial Park and Mortuary FD1176, Corona Del Mar, CA.