Dr. Richard Spano

Dr. Richard Spano, PhD, LCSW, age 79, passed away on Sunday, May 19, 2024 while leading a study abroad trip in Italy for students of the University of Kansas, School of Social Welfare.

Rick was born on August 10, 1944 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the son of Pearl and George Spano. He married Pennelton Anne Ford on December 30, 1967 in Tracy, Minnesota. He received his BS from St. John’s University in Minnesota, his MSW from St. Louis University in Missouri, and his PhD from the University of Minnesota. Rick was a Captain in the US Army Medical Corps in San Antonio and El Paso, Texas, where he treated veterans returning home from the war in Vietnam. Eventually, he and Penny moved to Lawrence, where they raised their family, and where he worked at the University of Kansas for almost 50 years.

Rick’s life was defined by his love and devotion to his family, by his role as a teacher, and by his gift as a healer. These defining characteristics led to his service on boards and to numerous organizations which served the most vulnerable among us, including Trinity Foster Home in Lawrence. Rick was a champion for others, and remained steadfastly committed to furthering that mindset in the next generations.

Rick is survived by his mother Pearl, wife Penny, son Jake Spano (Cate McDonald), daughter Kate Spano, and grandchildren Mia and Flynn Spano, Camden Spano-Lund, and Leo and Lillian Carnahan. He is also survived by his sister Yvonne (Don) Carlton, his brother Donald (Cindy) Spano, cousins, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial services for Rick will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 29, 2024 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W 13th Street, Lawrence, Kansas.  Private family inurnment will be held at Pioneer Cemetery in Lawrence.

In loving memory of Rick, the family is asking for memorial gifts to be made in Rick’s name to support the new Youth Recovery Center at Bert Nash Community Health Center in Lawrence. This new program will provide essential mental health services and crisis support for children, teens and families. Memorial gifts can be made at http://www.bertnash.org/donate or mailed to 200 Maine St, Suite A, Lawrence, KS 66044 and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.