SPENCER, Dick III

Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, Arizona July 27, 1989, page 2-A Described by Desert Caballeros president Gill Snyder as a “dedicated horseman” and a man who will be missed from the ranks of the Desert Caballeros, Dick Spencer III, the long-time publisher of Western Horseman magazine, was eulogized upon word of his death last week. Mr. Spencer, known as “Pony Tracks” to those longtime members of the DC who he had ridden with over the years, died July 15 in Colorado Springs, Colo. after a long battle with cancer. He was 68. “He had been around a long time and had made many a ride with us,” said Snyder, “Not only with us, but with many other rides. “He was a staunch supporter of the DC, and he will be missed,” Snyder said, “very much so.” Spencer, who had made at least the past 30 spring rides with the Desert Caballeros out of Wickenburg, was forced to miss this year’s ride due to his health condition. Dale Joyce, who served as the club’s el presdiente through the past year, described Spencer as a “tremendous human being, who gave the DC ride “more publicity than anyone.” Mr. Spencer was born Jan. 28, 1921 in Dallas. He had lived in Colorado Springs for the past 38 years, and had been associated with Western Horseman magazine, considered the nation’s largest horse-oriented magazine, since 1951. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army paratroops. He was a captain with the 517th Parachute Combat Team and served in Italy, France, Belgium and Germany. Mr. Spencer was a graduate of the University of Iowa with a degree in Journalism. Following World War Ii he was a staff member of Look magazine and later was an instructor of magazine production and editorial cartooning. In addition to his membership with the Desert Caballeros, Mr. Spencer was a 35-year member of the Pikes Peak Range Riders; a lifetime member of the Cattlemen’s Association; the Cowboy Poets; and numerous other western clubs and organizations, including honorary membership in the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Cowboy Artists of America. He proceeded in death by a son, Rick. He married June 6, 1983 to Vivian Bruce King, who survives him. Mr. Spencer is also survived by two daughters, Debra Joyous of Colorado Springs, and Barbara Jo Corpolongo of jay, Okla.; two stepdaughters, Debrah Hughes of Franktown, Colo. and Candace King of Colorado Springs; a grandchild and two step-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to Christian Cowboys, P.O. box 68, Graford, Texas 76045.