Ralph “Spencer” Annear

Born March 1, 1938, to Marjorie and Harold Annear, Spencer grew up in Dickinson, North Dakota, but spent memorable summers on a family ranch near Medora, ND. While in high school, Spencer joined the Civil Air Patrol, Auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, completing extensive training and earning his pilot’s license.

After graduating from Dickinson High School, he attended North Dakota State University, where he earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering with an aeronautical focus in 1960. From 1956 to 1961, he served in the Air Force Reserve of the National Guard as an aircraft mechanic at Hector Airport in Fargo, ND.

From January 1961 to June 1962, he worked for the Boeing Airplane Company, first in the control systems group designing 727 planes and then briefly in the launch testing engineering unit for the Minuteman Project at Vandenberg Air Force Base. He also served a final year in the Air Force Reserve.

He returned to school in 1962, this time to the University of North Dakota, where he met Sharon Lorraine Mowers, whom he married on May 30, 1964. The following year, he earned his law degree (J.D.), passed the bar exam, and obtained a job at the U.S. Department of Commerce as a patent examiner for the Patent and Trademark Office in Washington, D.C.

Spencer and Sharon’s move to Alexandria, Virginia, in 1965 marked the start of a rich life, filled with dedicated public service, volunteering, and the joys and busyness of parenting their two children, Rebecca and Thomas. Over thirty-two years of employment as a patent examiner, Spencer earned several promotions and outstanding ratings, but he also took pride in helping to run the Warrenton Soaring Center. There he served as a tow pilot, glider instructor, and president, and was also involved with Float Flyers, Inc., in Annapolis.

After retiring from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Spencer and Sharon embarked on many travel adventures, participating in group tours to Kenya, Greece, New Zealand, the British Isles, Antarctica, and Alaska. However, his curious scientific mind brought him back to copyright and patent law, and he worked part time for the Inventors Assistance Center for twenty-one years. In 2015, he moved to Fredonia with his wife to be near their grandsons and to enjoy restoring their historic home.

Spencer was preceded in death by his parents, Harold Annear and Marjorie Annear Roquette Linn, and brothers, Gary Annear and John Annear. He is survived by his wife, Sharon Annear of Fredonia; his children, Rebecca Walsh (Steve) of Woodland Park, Colorado, and Thomas Annear (Christina Jarvis) of Fredonia; his grandsons, Christopher Annear and Calder Annear; his step-grandchildren, John W. Walsh and Nicole M. Smith; and a beautiful multitude of extended family members–nieces, nephews, cousins, and step-great-grandchildren. He is sorely missed by them all.

Spencer was a long-time supporter of the Fredonia Boy Scout Troop # 267.

In lieu of flowers, the Annear family has asked for donations in honor of Spencer be made to the Spencer Annear Memorial Fund BSA Troop # 265, c/o 335 Chestnut Street, Fredonia, NY 14063 or donate online at my.cheddarup.com/c/spencer-annear-memorial-fund.

The family will hold a viewing on Friday, June 28 from 6 to 8 p.m. and a funeral service at 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 29, both at LARSON-TIMKO Funeral Home, 20 Central Avenue in Fredonia. To watch a livestream of the service or to offer online condolences, please visit https://memorials.larsontimkofuneralhome.com/spencer-annear/5449585/index.php.