He was a 20-year veteran and a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force from 1956 to 1976. He achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel.
After military retirement, he immediately went to Mortuary Science School in Chicago, Ill., and then joined his father-in-law, Richard Sievers, in the family business of Sievers-Sprick Funeral Home.
Duane R. Sprick, LtCol USAF, Ret., “Headed West” on April 7, 2013.
Duane Richard Sprick, Lt. Col. USAF (Ret.), 80, of Fort Calhoun, died on Sunday, April 7, 2013, in Omaha.
Duane was born November 29, 1932, in Tekamah to Erwin Frederick and Ellen Wilhelmina Mengedoht Sprick.
He was a 20-year veteran and a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force from 1956 to 1976. He achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel.
After military retirement, he immediately went to Mortuary Science School in Chicago, Ill., and then joined his father-in-law, Richard Sievers, in the family business of Sievers-Sprick Funeral Home.
Mr. Sprick’s hobbies were golfing, photography and various forms of “collecting.” He loved his family and good conversations, preferably humorous, with family and friends. He was a strong-minded, but generous man, full of life and experiences…having done a hundred things one has not dreamed of.
He was a member of the Fort Calhoun Presbyterian Church, Fort Calhoun American Legion Post 348, V.F.W. of Bellevue, Order of Daedalians, Super Sabre Society, Solomon Lodge 10 A.F. & A.M., National Sojourners and Tangier Shrine of Omaha.
Mr. Sprick’s wife, Carol (Sievers) Sprick, died June 7, 2004.
He is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Paula and Carl Grotelueschen of Schuyler; sons and their spouses, Duane R. “Rick” Sprick II and Holly of Lenexa, Kan., Stu and Diane Sprick of Fort Calhoun; sister, Donna Hansen of Washington, D.C.; brother and sister-in-law, Roger and Irene Sprick of Omaha; sister-in-law, Claire Ann Sprick of Raytown, Mo.; grandchildren and their spouses, Nathan and Kira Grotelueschen and Abby Grotelueschen, Samuel and Hannah Sprick, Tony and Alex Sprick; nieces, nephews and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Carol Sievers Sprick; twin brother, Doyle R. Sprick, USMC MIA; and brother, Erwin F. Sprick Jr.
Duane is buried in Ft. Calhoun Cemetery in Ft. Calhoun, NE. Memorials are suggested to the Fort Calhoun Presbyterian Church, Fort Calhoun Fire and Rescue Squad or Fort Calhoun American Legion Post 348.
