Richard M. Spriggs of Alfred, N.Y., passed away Saturday, July 21, 2007, after battling lung cancer.
Spriggs was professor emeritus of ceramic engineering at the NYS College of Ceramics at Alfred University. Prior to retiring in 1997, he was the first John F. McMahon Professor of Ceramic Engineering, the executive director of the NYS Center for Advanced Ceramic Technology, and director of Sponsored Research Programs at the College. He held BS, MS and PhD degrees in ceramics and ceramic engineering from The Pennsylvania State University and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Prior to joining the Alfred faculty in 1987, he served as senior staff officer and staff director of the National Research Council at the National Academy of Sciences, and as professor and later as vice president for administration at Lehigh University. He had earlier industrial experience with Avco and Ferro corporations. He also served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy after his graduation from Penn State.
A Fellow, Past President, and Distinguished Life Member of the American Ceramic Society, he received numerous honors and awards for his contributions to ceramic science, technology and education. He most recently served as a board member of the Ceramics Corridor Innovation Centers (Alfred Technology Resources Inc.) and Sugar Hill Development Corp. Spriggs was widely known over many years as an outstanding ambassador for the American Ceramic Society. He was well-known for his kind and friendly demeanor.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia (Blaney) Spriggs and is survived by his present wife, Brenda (Ferrier) Spriggs, three children: Carolyn (Spriggs) Muchna (Mark) of Prescott, Ariz., Rick Spriggs (Jacki) of Naperville, Ill., and Alan Spriggs of Golden, Colo.; and three step-children: Kristine (Milkeris) Smith (Robbie) of Genesee, Pa., Lori Milkeris of Milton, Fla., and Joshua Milkeris (Amber) of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
In addition he is survived by seven grandchildren: Jessica (Muchna) Madson (James), Amy, Matthew and Mollie Muchna, Mackenzie, Kelsey and Conor Spriggs, and five step-grandchildren: Amber, Tyler, Miri and Bryce Milkeris and Nolen Smith.
Memorial services will be held at the Union University Church in Alfred on Monday, August 13 at 11:00 a.m.