Dr. Robert B. Sparks

Dr. Robert "Bob" Burns Sparks, 84, husband of Carol Crabb Sparks, passed away Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at his home.

Born September 12, 1932 in Mud Lick, Pike County, Kentucky to the late David Campbell & Fannie Bevins Sparks, Bob grew up in Toler, Kentucky and graduated from Belfry High School. He attended Eastern Kentucky University on a basketball scholarship for one year before being called to service in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. Upon discharge from the service, Bob attended Pikeville College on a basketball scholarship and then continued his education at the University of Louisville School of Dentistry, graduating in 1962 with a D.M.D. degree. Bob married Carol Claudette Crabb on December 17, 1960 in Louisville; they moved to Carlisle in 1962 where he began a dental practice with Dr. Leon Riggs. They practiced together for 41 years. Bob’s daughter, Pam, joined them in practice from 1990-2003. Bob was a member of the Bluegrass Dental Association, Kentucky Dental Association and American Dental Association.

An active civic leader and community volunteer, Bob served first on the Board of Directors of Deposit Bank then the Farmers Deposit Bank totaling 39 years of service to the bank. He was a member of the First Christian Church of Carlisle, serving in many different offices including Chairman of the Board. Bob was also an active member of the Carlisle Rotary Club for over 50 years.

Bob served on the Nicholas County Board of Health for nearly 30 years and played an instrumental role in acquiring a new building for the health department in Nicholas County. He served as the Chairman of the Nicholas County Recreation and Park Board and led the planning and fund-raising responsible for building the East End Park, where hundreds of Nicholas County’s children have played since its opening in the 1970's. He was also a Shriner and member of Daugherty Lodge #65 F. & A.M.

Bob’s passion for helping the people of Nicholas County led to his involvement on the Economic Development Authority Board, where he worked to bring industry and jobs to the county. He served on the Carlisle-Nicholas County Housing Authority Board for years and worked tirelessly to procure funding to ensure low-income apartments were handicap accessible. Bob also served on the Board of Trustees of Pikeville College and then the University of Pikeville for twelve years. He enjoyed woodworking and recently completed a project with Dr. Riggs to build 20 beds that were donated to the Nicholas County Family Resource & Youth Service Center for children in Nicholas County.

Known by many friends and family as "Doctor Bob", he is survived by his wife- Carol, his son- David (Crystal), both of Carlisle, his daughter- Pam VanArsdall (Alan), of Nicholasville, a granddaughter- Lauren Hoagland (Gordy), a grandson- John Robert Stein, and a step-granddaughter- Leandra Evans. His brother, Bill Sparks, and a large number of nieces, nephews and extended family also survive.

Also preceding him in death were 5 brothers: Joe, John, Clarence, Orbin and Charles Sparks, and 2 sisters, Anna DeSalvo and Betty Sparks.

Services will be 1:00 P.M. Saturday, October 29, 2016 at the Carlisle Christian Church by Rev. Steve Smith and Rev. Sharon Fields. Burial with Military Honors will follow in the Carlisle Cemetery.

Visitation will be after 5:00 P.M. Friday at the church.

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