Carnegie Hero Roger Gary Spangenberg died Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, in Jacksonville, Illinois. He was 81.
Spangenberg was born to Jack and Jane Spangenberg on Jan. 21, 1943, in Pittsfield, Illinois. He married Nancy Heaton on Oct. 21, 1962, in Woodson, Illinois.
Spangenberg was awarded the Carnegie Medal after a July 19, 1963, attempted rescue of a man from suffocation in Pittsfield. The 59-year-old man was working in a well 29-feet-deep when he was overcome by carbon monoxide gas. He fell from a ladder at the side of the well into water 17 feet deep. The shouting of the man attracted a survey party working nearby, which included then-20-year-old Spangenberg. After a short run, Spangenberg reached the well and called to James W. Routson, who had descended into the well. Breathing hard, Spangenberg also descended the ladder of the well and found that Routson had lost consciousness and slumped atop the first victim. Spangenberg knew that gas was present and took hold of Routson. As he started to ascend the ladder, he was overcome by the gas. He, too, fell into the water. Another member of the surveyors, John Paul Leming, then entered the well and removed Spangenberg, who was the only one of the three unconscious men to survive.
Spangenberg graduated from Western Illinois University in 1965 and received his master’s degree in athletic administration from Indiana State University in 1968. He taught physical education, health, and driver’s education. He coached varsity football, basketball, and varsity baseball.
Spangenberg enjoyed playing golf with friends and was described as an outdoorsman, taking fishing trip in Alaska, Canada, and the Great Lakes. He owned a private pilot license and enjoyed flying his Cessna plane. He was a member of the Jacksonville Elks Lodge.
Spangenberg is survived by three daughters, Sheryl Roberts, Sonya Stevens, and Shelly Black; seven grandchildren, Nolan, Allison, Melissa, Justin, Sean, Finley, and Dash; three siblings, Greg Spangenberg, Jaclyn Farmer, and Jill Parker; a great grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.