Richard Allen Spencer, longtime Baptist Student Union director at the University of Texas in Austin, died Jan. 29 at age 72. Spencer born in Wichita Falls Feb.13, 1944, and grew up in Nocona. He earned his undergraduate degree in mathematics and physics at Midwestern University, where he became involved with the Baptist Student Union. He became a follower of Jesus Christ and began his lifelong professional and spiritual journey. He also met Vicki Ann Ryan at the BSU, and they married Aug. 24, 1968. He earned his Ph.D. in philosophy with a concentration in New Testament at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as BSU director in Odessa and Weatherford before accepting the position as BSU director and religion professor at the University of Texas in Austin, where he worked 45 years. He also served numerous Central Texas churches as interim pastor. Spencer is survived by his wife, Vicki; son, Ryan; daughter, Kristi Altshuler; four grandchildren; and five siblings—Martha May, Marilyn Spitsnaugle, Olivia Spencer, M.E. Spencer and Bill Spencer. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Feb. 4 at Woodlawn Baptist Church in Austin. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Rick Spencer Staff Development Trust, which supports the intern program at the Baptist Student Ministry in Austin. Checks can be mailed to Texas Baptist Collegiate Ministry, Attention: Cindy Zoller, 7557 Rambler Road, Dallas, TX 75231. To donate online, click here. When asked to select a fund, choose “Other” and type in “Rick Spencer Staff Development Trust.”
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