Robert B. Sparks

Bob was born to Robert and Betty (Rice) Sparks, in Colorado Springs, graduated from Englewood High School, then reluctantly left the mountains of Colorado to attend Huron College (SD) on a full four year football scholarship, graduating with a BS in Chemistry and Biology. He married Laurel (Blackmun) in 1966 and both continued their education at USD in Vermillion, SD, where Bob earned a PhD in Biochemistry. He did post-doctoral research in Molecular Biology and Genetics, a rapidly developing field of study, at UCSD (San Diego) before accepting a position in a new research program at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (New Haven), followed by a return to San Diego to Scripps Clinic and Research Institute. In 1985 he came to NDSU so as to combine research with teaching, where he remained until retiring in 2008.

Daughter, Erin, arrived in 1971, son, Ben, in 1974. Bob was dedicated to his family, always ready to play a game, help, or entertain, no matter how tired or busy.

He practiced, studied, and taught karate for years, which helped him stay active and healthy, as did regular racquetball play in retirement with close friend, Tom Freeman.

He followed the careers of former students, pleased with their success and continued friendship. He also enjoyed keeping in touch with colleagues, be it by phone, sport, or a beer at the Turf (the bitterer the better). In retirement he was able to pursue his love of travel, golf, photography, and music (amassing a collection of photos, rescued clubs, books, and jazz recordings).

In the words of those who knew him, Bob will be remembered as athletic, kind and generous, always with a smile, witty, even-tempered, and modest - a nice guy.

He is survived by his, wife Laurel; daughter, Erin Sparks (Troy Bloemker), Big Lake, MN; son, Ben, Orlando, FL; exchange daughter, Adriana de Del Villar and family, Aguascalientes, MX; sister, Jean Jackson, Englewood, CO; and good friends, Aya, Dahlia, Salzy, and Yuriy Atanasov, Chalfont, PA.

His quiet loving presence in our lives will be greatly missed.

Memorials may be sent to Biochemistry/Molecular Biology Scholarships at NDSU.