FREDERICK CARSON SPRINGSTEAD,
75, of Little Rock and Fayetteville passed away on May 21, 2023. He was born November 7, 1948 in Little Rock. He was preceded in death by his parents, Billy and Christine Springstead and Cathy, his sister.
The words that follow are from Fred Springstead and Robin Smith:
Dear Friends and Family, Paragraph locked by Robin Smith If you are reading this, I hope I am standing outside the Pearly Gates waiting to hear someone say, “Fred, is that YOU?”
My name is Frederick Carson Springstead. I was born into a catholic family on November 7, 1948. My parents were Billy Springstead and Christine Hambuchen Springstead and they were good people! My sister, Cathy, was six years older than I and her goal in life was to pick on me every minute of the day. We shared a Collie named Penny who I adored and who adored me. I attended Holy Souls Catholic Church, Holy Souls Catholic School, and Little Rock Catholic High. I am ALL THINGS CATHOLIC! I credit all my knowledge, values, successes, and love for God to Father Tribou, the principal at Catholic High. Like so many others, he was my idol. During my attendance there, I received my share of paddling, always had my word for the day, learned a little and clowned around a lot but loved every part of that school and became a man. Those of you who attended this exceptional school know exactly what I am saying. During the summer months, my favorite pastime was joining kids in our neighborhood to play baseball until it was too dark to see. The neighbor kids were the best but it was my cousins who were the bomb! Mike Schaufele and the twins, Carol and Evelyn, will always stand out to me.
After graduating high school, I attended the University of Arkansas, joined the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, made lifelong friends, and never missed a party. I lived with Ricky Ratley in the Kappa Sigma “HOLE”. I dated lots of pretty girls, went parking in the Pit until sorority date call, and enjoyed the late-night parties that followed. I loved Fayetteville, of course, but didn’t we all?
Following college, most of my friends settled down, but I continued to party until one day I realized I could not stop. Alcohol had taken over my life. I tried to sober up many times, but it was not until my aunt, Sister Rose Marie, came to my apartment, dressed in her Habit, and said: GET YOUR CLOTHES ON AND COME WITH ME. You just don’t say no to a nun. I then moved to St. Louis where I became sober in the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous and started a new life.
I stayed in St. Louis for several years, but Fayetteville called me home. I became a mortgage banker with Riverside Bank in 2006 and worked alongside the finest people on earth. I want to thank all of you for your friendship and making work so much fun. Steve Davis, Spencer Davis, Robert Dudley, Jennifer Enlow, Lisa Altoff, and Jay Rowland. What fun!
About six years ago, I reconnected with, Robin Ratley Smith who is the love of my life. (Yes, the sister of Ricky who lived in the “Hole” with me at Fayetteville). Lucky for me, Robin’s daughters Piper Smith Keizer (Jonny) and Molly Smith Querdibitty (Jonathan) became family to me. This family grew overnight with our grandchildren, June and Price Querdibitty and Mary Robin and Judge Keizer. I have an incredible son, Kevin Vogeltanz, and he honored me with a granddaughter named Mary Christine after my mother.
Even though the love of my life was Robin, a close second was Tugboat, our Carin Terrier. He loved to have his back scratched, and I was the man for the job. He often visited me at Hospice which was such a special treat, and we were a team! These were indeed happy times.
Being the modest man that I am, there is one thing you MUST know; I was a radio celebrity in Fayetteville!! It is the closest I will ever come to fame and fortune when I was asked to star on the KURM radio station with Tommy Davis. My quick wit and electric personality advised many an entrepreneur to very successful ventures. This may sound overzealous, but I was damn good, and I loved the attention. I am pretty sure this career will be a hit in Heaven,
On a serious note, my great life and my good fortune is in knowing all of you. I give credit completely to the grace of God and to my Higher Power. Throughout my life all I ever wanted was to be happy! Thank you for making it possible and thanks for the memories.
Wait, do I hear someone calling my name? YES, I DO and to the love of my life. I will be waiting at the gate.
Love You, Fred
Fred’s funeral will be Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at 10 a.m., at Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church, Little Rock, Ark. Special thanks are given to the great staff of Hospice Home Care and UAMS. Your attentiveness, loving care and patience will always be remembered. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the Cosmopolitan Groups of Alcoholics Anonymous, Little Rock, Ark. or St. Jude’s Hospital, Memphis, Tenn. Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com