Richard Andrew Spring

Richard Andrew Spring, age 71 of Monroeville, passed away on Friday, August 12, 2022. He was born on July 25, 1951, to the late Charles and Helen (Czimbal) Spring. Richard grew up on Edward Avenue, Mt. Lebanon, PA, and graduated from Mt. Lebanon High School in 1969.

He participated in Boy Scouts, earning Eagle Scout status, was a member of the MLHS Band that performed at the Cotton Bowl, and took part in Southminster Church Youth Fellowship. As a young man,he furthered his interest in automobiles when he and his brother Philip modified the family 1964 Ford Custom and set a Keystone Raceway drag racing track record in their category. During one summer in college, he took a job as an engine mechanic on a long ore boat of U.S. Steel’s Great Lakes fleet. He went on to graduate from Ohio University with a degree in Industrial Technology. His career as a sales engineer made him a familiar face to many transit authorities and other transportation related companies. He served in this capacity for Hall Industries, Penn Machine Company, BBM Railway Equipment, and Irwin Car Company.

As a family man, he supported his children's activities, such as Indian Guides and Princesses, cheered for Kevin and Jason at their hockey games, and made noise for Lauri when she led the cheers at Bethel Park High School. Also, he made sure to get lots of pictures of everybody. He regularly provided for family vacations and outings to places like Myrtle Beach and Seven Springs. He became so good at skiing after some serious lessons that he was offered a job at the Seven Springs ski school. He faithfully supported charitable organizations, one a yearly fundraiser for maintaining a trail through the Laurel Highlands. It involved two other favorite activities: a bicycle ride from Connellsville to Confluence, PA, and back, and camping out overnight in the shadow of the Confluence dam, hence the name “That Dam Ride.” The charity that he enjoyed from day one was the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix to support Autism Pittsburgh and Merakey Allegheny Valley School.

He volunteered and/or participated in many of the PVGP events from the first year of 1983 through 2021, missing only 2022 because of illness. He loved showing his 1993 Mustang Cobra and other vehicles like the 1964 Ford Custom and a 1960s Volkswagen Beetle and seeing other cars on display. His main contribution as a volunteer was to organize the downtown Pittsburgh car shows to publicize that it was time for the Schenley Park races on the coming weekend. To generate more enthusiasm, for several years he added a parade of cars from a staging area to the plazas downtown. As a car guy, he was completely in his element with the PVGP. Another mode of transportation that he incorporated into his life was boating on the Three Rivers. Richard was the captain and his first mate was his friend Kaye. They learned to go through locks, dodge the barges and river debris, and navigate at night and in fog. Of course, the friends and the marina life style and enjoying shows at the Point from the water made up for all the work involved in maintaining a boat.

No, Richard never owned an airplane, but he often flew for business and took Kaye on special trips as far west as San Diego, as far south as Miami, as far east as Paris and Berlin, and as far north as Montreal. Richard was a man on the move for most of his life and made his mark on countless people whom he encountered over the years.

He is survived by his children, Lauri Deane, Kevin Spring, and Jason Spring; grandchildren, Leo and Valentine; brother, Charles (Rose) Spring and sister, Elizabeth (Allan) Merchant; four nephews and a niece, and dear friend, Kaye Wentling. Richard was preceded in death by his brother, Philip Spring.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 3, 2022, 11:30 am at Hillcrest Presbyterian Church, 1622 James Street, Monroeville, PA 15146, followed by a luncheon at The Lamplighter Restaurant in Delmont. JOBE FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, INC. (MONROEVILLE/PLUM CHAPEL) 445 Beatty Road, Monroeville (412-856-4747).  Memorial contributions may be made to the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix Charities or other charity of your choice. Online condolences may be offered at www.jobefuneralhome.com

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