[Published in Toledo Blade on October 1, 2011] Theodore R. “Ted” Spangler, 92, of Bryan, Ohio, died peacefully at CHWC Hospital, Bryan, Ohio, on September 28, 2011. He had been in declining health in recent months.
The son of Helen (Rodgers) and Arthur Spangler, he was born January 17, 1919, nin Bryan, Ohio. He graduated from Bryan High School in 1936 and from the University of Michigan in 1940, where he was head cheerleader and a member of Phi Delta Theta.
In 1941 he was inducted into the United States Army. After completing Armored Force Officer Candidate School, he was commissioned a second lieutenant. He rose to the rank of Captain while serving in the Pacific Theater during World War II, participating in the landings at Saipan and Okinawa. He was awarded the Bronze Star. On April 28, 1950, he was united in marriage to Doris Nixon of Uniontown, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Spangler preceded him in death in 2003.
Mr. Spangler was employed by Spangler Candy Company, founded by his father, for his entire working career, serving as director of sales, president, chief executive and board chairman. He retired from active employment in 1983 and from the board of directors in 1993.
He was a driving force in the company’s two most important acquisitions; Dum Dums in 1953 and A-Z candy canes in 1954. In 1997, the company designated Ted Spangler with the honorary title of “Chairman Emeritus” reflecting his lifelong commitment to the business. He is the only individual to work with, or provide counsel to, every officer of Spangler Candy Company from its founding in 1906 until his death, having offered a specific business suggestion within two weeks of his death.
Mr. Spangler served his industry on numerous committees and as a member of the board of directors of the National Confectioners Association and was named a “Dean of Confectionery” by the National Candy Wholesalers Association. A Lifetime Bryan resident, Ted Spangler was always involved in and committed to his community and was honored for his many contributions as Bryan’s “Good Citizen” in 1996.
He was a leader in founding the Bryan Area Chamber of Commerce in 1945, and was its fifth president in 1950. During his chamber leadership the tradition of stringing Christmas lights from the courthouse was established. Mr. Spangler led the effort to construct the North Main Street underpass and considered that achievement his most important community accomplishment. He was a life member and past president of the Bryan Rotary Club, a life member of Orchard Hills Country Club and the Clear Lake Yacht Club.
He was a founding member of the Bryan Area Foundation where he served a six year term as president. He served on the Bryan Board of Education and the Bryan Zoning and Planning Commission. He also served on the Shawnee Boy Scout executive council and Bryan United Fund board of directors. At Cameron Memorial Hospital and Junior Achievement he served as a board member and was president. Recently he donated land to a land conservancy at Clear Lake, Indiana where he spent many summers to create the Spangler Grove, a green space preserving the natural habitat.
Mr. Spangler’s devotion extended to First Presbyterian Church where he was a life member and served as an elder. He is survived by daughters, Blair N. Spangler of Calistoga, California and Mrs. Drew (David) Faulkner of Bethesda, Maryland. His youngest daughter, Kim, preceded him in death in 2009. He is also survived by granddaughter, Helene Korich of Paris, France and grandsons, Robert Gordon of Honolulu, Hawaii and Michael Faulkner of Bethesda, Maryland.
Memorial Services for Theodore R. “Ted” Spangler will be held Monday, October 3, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 506 Oxford Drive, Bryan, Ohio, with Pastor Barry Sweet and Pastor Edward Auchard officiating. The family will receive friends from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. Saturday, October 1, 2011, and from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 2, 2011, in the Oberlin-Turnbull Funeral Home & Crematory, 206 North Lynn Street, Bryan, Ohio. He will be interred beside his beloved wife and daughter in Fountain Grove Cemetery in a private service. Preferred memorials should be directed to the Bryan Area Foundation, P.O. Box 651, Bryan, Ohio 43506.
To share memories please visit the website www.tedspangler.com. Condolences may be sent to the family or the online guest book may be signed at www.oberlinturnbull.com