Richard (Rick) Spencer Spetnagel

SPETNAGEL, Richard Spencer Mr. Richard (Rick) Spencer Spetnagel, 65, of Woodstock, GA passed away peacefully at his home on January 23, 2013 after an extended, and courageous, battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born in White Plains, NY to the late Mr. Edward Lewis Spetnagel, Jr. and the late Mrs. Jane Spencer Spetnagel on May 17, 1947. 'Spetz' (high school nickname) grew up in Westchester County, NY and was a 1966 graduate of Suffield Academy where he played varsity football and ran varsity track during his four years at the school. He then went on to attend and graduate from Colgate University with a BS in Economics in 1970. He worked for The Tennessee Land and Mining Company, a family owned business, until its acquisition at which time he pursued several entrepreneurial opportunities mostly in the retail sector. A special joy for Rick was the time he spent with Goodwill Industries giving back to his community and sharing his positive outlook and energy. Throughout his life Rick demonstrated not only a giving nature with his actions but also a rarely matched 'at all times' gusto for family, friends and all things positive and enthusiastic. Loving, caring, gentle and strong, Rick's presence has left an enduring impact on all who came into contact with him. His stories of his time in Brazil and growing up in and around New York City were particularly memorable. After moving south he adopted the Tennessee Volunteers football team as his favorite squad and passionately followed their progress. Rick also had a lifelong love of boating from Lake Waramaug, Connecticut, in his youth, to Lake Lanier, outside of Atlanta, later in life. He enjoyed reading immensely and often shared his interests and learning through entertaining conversations and discussions. He was a devoted family man and a very loving husband, father, step-father, brother, uncle and friend. He is survived by his wife Melissa Ravan Spetnagel whom he married in August 2000, his son Richard Spencer Spetnagel, his step-daughter Lark Honrine and her husband Tommy, his step-son Jason Hylton and his wife Mindy, his step-son Justin Hylton, his step-son Yates McKenzie and his wife Heather and their three children, his step-son Burton McKenzie and his wife Liza and their three children, brother Edward Spetnagel and his wife Judy, nephew Steven Spetnagel and his two children, nephew David Spetnagel and his wife Debby and their two children, nephew Tom Spetnagel and his wife Monica. In addition to being predeceased by his parents he further was predeceased by his brother Jan Venn Spetnagel. A remembrance celebration will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in his memory to the Pancreatic Cancer Network (www.pancan.org). Rick will be greatly missed but also fondly remembered.

Richard (Rick) Spencer Spetnagel

May 17, 1947 - January 23, 2013