A local artist recently donated a painting to Missouri University of Science and Technology to honor longtime professor Dr. Alfred C. Spreng, who died on Oct. 19. The professor emeritus of geology retired in 1985 after teaching at Missouri S&T for more than 35 years.

The mixed-media painting, “Exploring Missouri’s Past,” is by Lynn Grannemann. She credits Spreng for lending her materials she used for creating elements in her work.

“I contacted Dr. Spreng when I needed fossils and rocks for this piece,” says Grannemann. “He was so helpful and kind. I continually needed more and more samples and he graciously allowed me to borrow them.”

Dr. Francisca Oboh-Ikuenobe, professor and head of Missouri S&T’s geology and geophysics program, says Spreng would have appreciated the donation of the piece. “He loved maps — the map room in the library is even named after him,” she says. “We’ll find a good place to display Lynn’s art in McNutt Hall to honor him.”

“Dr. Spreng was passionate about rocks and geology and, like all of our geology faculty, generated that passion in young people,” says Dr. Ralph E. Flori Jr., chair of the geological sciences and engineering department. “He was a beloved faculty member and respected by everyone who knew him here.”

The painting will be on display at Spreng’s memorial service, which will be held at 4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 28, in the Carver-Turner Room of the Havener Center on the Missouri S&T campus. An informal reception will follow the service until 6 p.m.

A memorial service will also be held to honor Spreng’s late wife, Wealthy, at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 693 Forum Drive in Rolla. Mrs. Spreng, who taught introductory geology courses at Missouri S&T, died on Dec. 27.