Edward Springer, 93, beloved father, husband, and brother, passed away peacefully at his home on October 23, 2024. He was surrounded by loved ones.
Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, October 27, at The Springer Center on the Starkville Academy Campus. Services will be at 11:00 Monday, October 28, at First Baptist Church of Starkville.
Springer was born December 28, 1930, to John and Beulah Springer in Woodland, MS, with an enthusiasm for life and a determination to succeed. As the oldest of eight brothers and sisters, he was a born leader.
He graduated from Houston High School in 1950. Shortly afterward he joined the United States Army Combat Engineers where he advanced to the rank of 1st lieutenant. He served in the Korean War with the 76th Construction Engineering Battalion where he developed his passion for engineering by constructing roadways, bridges, and airfields for the troops.
Always the devoted patriot, Springer was very proud of his time serving his country and continued to be involved in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the “Graybeards”, and reunions with his former battalion members. He loved attending Veterans Day programs at his grandchildren’s schools. He passed down his love of country to his children and grandchildren.
After the war, Springer attended Mississippi State University, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering in 1957 and a Master of Science in structural design, soil mechanics, and foundation design in 1962. He also served as an assistant professor, teaching several civil engineering courses until 1975.
In the mid ‘70s, he became a principal in Kemp, Springer, and Associates Ltd. in Meridian, MS, and in the mid ‘80s, he became the sole owner of Springer Engineering, Inc. in Starkville. During this time, he served on the Mississippi Board of Licensure of Professional Engineers and Surveyors. As a strong advocate for the engineering profession, Springer was a member of many professional organizations including the National Society of Professional Engineers, the American Society of Engineers, the American Council of Engineering Companies, and the Mississippi Engineering Society, which honored him with the Mississippi Engineer of the Year award in 2016 and 2023. His strong work ethic and leadership resulted in maintaining high standards for engineers in Mississippi.
Springer, who was a member of First Baptist Church Starkville, was known for his generosity to many philanthropic causes, including Starkville Academy’s building of the Allene M. Springer Center, the Children’s Building Fund for First Baptist Church, and Mississippi State University.
He married his high school sweetheart, Allene Mitchell, in 1952. While he was in Korea, Allene completed her education at Mississippi State College for Women, becoming a teacher in Starkville, where the couple made their home and raised their four daughters. Allene preceded him in death in 2009.
He is survived by his second wife, Joyce Edwards Peters, who he married in 2015. He is also survived by his four daughters, Carol of Starkville, Cathy Kemp (Terry) of Starkville, Edie Gray (Ronnie) of Madison, and Charlotte Cox (Holland) of Starkville, MS. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Emily Lesley (Brian), Edward Kemp (Leah), Elizabeth Tackett (Trey), Mitchell Gray (Mary Kate), Colin Gray (Samantha), Mallorie Gray, Celeste Kelly, Susannah Northrop (Jacob), Sam Cox, Charlie Cox, and Beau Cox. He is survived by 12 great-grandchildren.
Springer is also survived by four sisters: Maxine Nabors or Eupora, MS, Emma Kate Johnson of Seattle, WA, Beth McDonald of Madison, AL, and Nancy Davis of Houston, MS; and three brothers: Al Springer of Grapevine, TX, Larry Springer of Houston, MS, and Sid Springer of Flora, MS.
Memorials can be made to Children’s Building Fund of First Baptist Church of Starkville or Starkville Academy Springer Facility Fund.
