April 17, 1940 – July 25, 2013
Art Spomer passed away July 25, 2013 at St. Mary’s Hospital, he was 73. He was a retired Professor Emeritus of Horticulture and Plant Sciences in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Before retirement he had nearly 30 years’ experience in agricultural research and teaching and 24 years on the academic faculty at the University of Illinois. He authored more than 80 refereed journal papers and book chapters plus over 150 semi-technical publications. More than 60 published abstracts of presentations to professional societies in addition to numerous invited presentations to various professional and trade societies in the U.S. and Canada. He was elected to the campus Incomplete List of Instructors Rated Excellent by his students on 16 occasions.
Art was born on April 17, 1940 in Denver, Colorado from the union of Peter John and Thelma Pauline (Johnson) Spomer. He spent his childhood in Englewood, Colorado and graduated from Englewood High School in 1958. He attended college at the Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, CO, receiving his Masters and Undergraduate Degrees and Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, receiving his Doctorate Degree. He was a Captain in the United States Army and was stationed at Dugway Proving Ground in Utah serving in the Chemical Corps, and was a former resident of Urbana, IL and Ouray, CO.
On August 29, 1962 Art married Wilma Elsie (Billie) Price in Montrose, CO, she preceded him in death January 1998 in Urbana.
Art enjoyed visiting with friends and family, and spending time at his cabin in Ouray, Colorado. His hobbies included photography, sculpture, carving, bronze casting, hiking and visiting new places. He also had an interest in Colorado history and volunteered for the Ouray Historical Society. Art loved nature, family members remember him saying the outdoors was his sanctuary and he was rarely seen without his camera and a smile.
Art leaves behind sons: Ryan Spomer of Tolono, IL and Mark Spomer of Champaign, IL, two brothers; George Guy Spomer of Pullman, WA , William Roy Spomer of Atascadero, CA and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wife Billie and a brother; Peter John Spomer II.
In lieu of flowers the family has asked that memorial contributions be made to the Ouray Historical Society, P. O. Box 151, Ouray, CO 81427 in Art’s name.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM, Sunday, July 28, 2013 at Lake Lenore, Ouray, CO.
In lieu of flowers the family has asked that memorial contributions be made to the Yankee Boy Conservation Association, PO Box 1448, Ouray, CO 81427 in Art’s name.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, August 3, 2013 at Walker Grove at Meadowbrook Park, Windsor Road and Race Street, Urbana, IL 61802. Friends, family and colleagues may leave their condolences at www.martinmortuary.com.
Friends, family and colleagues may leave their condolences at www.martinmortuary.com.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18