Lester Ralph 'Les' Springmeyer

A funeral service is 3 p.m. July 25 at Walton's Sierra Chapel, 875 W. 2nd St., in Reno for Nevada native and pioneer descendent, Lester Ralph "Les" Springmeyer, 93, of Reno, who died July 3, 2010, at South Meadows Renown Hospital.

He was the great-grandson of H. H. and Wilhelmina Springmeyer, an 1860s pioneer Carson Valley ranching family.

Born Aug. 6, 1916, in Carson City, to Ralph Arthur and Edith Valeria (Werner) Springmeyer, he grew up on ranches in Diamond Valley, Smith Valley, and Carson Valley with his brothers Buzz, Albert, Robert, and sister Myra (Linscott).

Mr. Springmeyer was valedictorian of his graduating class of eight at Smith Valley High School in 1933. In 1937 he met Kathaleen Wallace of Carson City at the annual Genoa Candy Dance. They were married in Reno, on Sept. 18, 1942.

Mr. Springmeyer was inducted into the U.S. Army on March 18, 1942, and attended tank school in Fort Knox, Ky. He graduated from the motor mechanics school and served in the 736th Tank Battalion with the rank of staff sergeant. After landing at Normandy in 1944, he saw combat in Northern France, the Ardennes and Germany. He was awarded a battlefield commission as 2nd lieutenant, the Bronze Star, the WWII Victory Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.

Mr. Springmeyer loved the outdoors and spent many years working outside as the owner of the Springmeyer Equipment Co. His wife Kay and he kept the company books in the evenings and on weekends.

Mr. Springmeyer belonged to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, State Farm Bureau, Reno Executives Club, Kiwanis Club, and Elks Club. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Far West Equipment Dealers Association and the Better Business Bureau.

He enjoyed camping with his family near Lamoille Canyon in the Ruby Mountains and on the Carson River. Markleeville was another favorite place. In his earlier life, Mr. Springmeyer loved hunting.

Mr. Springmeyer was preceded in death by his four younger siblings.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years; daughter Sharalee (Paul) Schwarzbart, of San Rafael, Calif., and many nieces and nephews.

Burial will follow the service at Mountain View Cemetery, Reno.

Donations may be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.