Obituary: Robert Sproule

Robert (Bob) Sproule 82, passed away on Oct. 9, 2023, in The Dalles, Ore., after a brief stay in the hospital. Bob was born in Chicago, Ill., on July 19, 1941, to Mildred and Clayton (Mike) Sproule. Growing up in Dallas, Texas, Bob developed a love for the game of golf at a very early age, going to the golf course whenever he could with his dad. He continued playing through his years in high school and college.

He married Diane Daugherty while in college and after graduation from East Texas State in 1965, they started their teaching careers in Forney, Texas. Bob worked for the Forest Service during his summers in Riggins, Idaho, manning a lookout tower for a couple of years and later becoming a smoke jumper in McCall. Their son Michael came along on Oct. 9, 1965. They moved to Riggins full time in 1966, where they taught school. Upon separating from Diane, Bob moved to Clarkston, Wash., and began his golfing career at Clarkston Country Club in 1968. He worked there for two years, then moved to Kennewick to manage the Columbia Park golf course for one season. In 1970, he moved to Spokane, Wash., to become the assistant golf professional at the new Hangman Valley Golf Course. In 1972, Bob and his new family, Maralee, Marilyn, Debbi and Doug, moved to the Okanogan Valley to manage Okanogan Valley Golf Club. They remained there until 1976, when Bob became the Golf Professional at The Dalles Country Club, where he remained until retiring in 2015. Bob received his pin for 50 years as a PGA Professional in 2021.