Longtime 1st Responder News Senior Correspondent, Robert W. “Bob” Sprague, 67, of Salem, NH, died Thursday, August 4th, at Holy Family Hospital, Methuen, MA.

Bob was born in Lynn, MA on August 23, 1954. He grew up and was educated in Reading, MA, where he met and married his wife, Barbara Sprague. A graduate of Reading High School, he worked with North Reading, MA & Woburn, MA Fire Departments prior to becoming a resident of Salem, NH in 1984.

Bob began his career with Salem, NH Fire Dept as a part-time dispatcher in 1988, became full-time in 1990, and remained a humble & smiling fixture with the Department until his retirement in 2020. During his career, he was awarded for excellence of service, joined a regional HazMat team, and was an avid fire scene photographer with many submissions to fire service publications.

Outside the fire house, Bob loved photographing nature, wildlife, racetrack events, and especially trains. He was a man that always walked with a smile and never denied a helping hand to anyone he met.

Bob is survived by his beloved wife Barbara (Cook) Sprague of Salem, NH; sons Chuck Sprague of Utah and Robert W. Sprague, Jr. and his wife Jennifer of Vermont; and Grandson: Robert W. Sprague III “Robbie”.