The late, decidedly lamented Hank Spangenberger was also honored by Medal Collectors of America with the Carl W.A. Carlson Award for his truly pioneering role in spearheading the renewal of interest in historical U.S. medals. His column in "Numismatic Scrapbook" should always be remembered for its explorations of Presidential Inaugural Medals, Medals of the Centennial of Independence and, of course, those pesky wooden exposition medals that thoroughly confused modern collectors by the late 1960's. He will be missed.

Very sad to learn of the passing of Hank Spangenberger, hard on the deaths of Bob Myers and Vinnie Alones. Hank, who I had known since his days at Empire so many years ago, was one of the truly knowledgeable and nice guys in our business.

I first met Hank Spangenberger when I moved to Dayton Ohio for my first job out of college in 1964. This was before he married Marsha. And speaking of Marsha, she never really embraced Hank's numismatic activities. I remember a convention when we had side-by-side bourse tables. At the end of the show my wife was assisting me breaking down the display. Marsha was standing around, doing nothing. My wife asked if she would help with some minor chore (perhaps like folding up the table cover). She refused, and went into a long explanation that she wouldn't even lend a hand to help her husband.

Hank was a collector before he was a medal dealer. He was afflicted with a condition that a lot of medal dealers suffer from (myself included). Some of the material medal dealers handle is so rare, so desirable, so spectacular, that we never like to part with it. We would never see the likes again. Coin dealers may have their special interests, but if they sold a pet collection, it could easily be replaced in time. Not so with medals.

I recall an incident in New York City. I met with Hank in his hotel room, bought some Olympic items from him. Then he showed me a group of relic medals. Spectacular items, large items of fantastic relic status. Items I had never seen before, nor since. I offered him a ridiculous high sum for the group.

"No, I think I will keep these," was his response. And I didn't blame him. I don't think I would have sold them if I owned them. As a dealer he was a closet collector. His collection of American Centennial items of 1876 was superb. I believe he sold it intact. Perhaps some E-Sylum reader can remember to whom. Other collections he formed found their way to national auctions.

Great personal friend. Great collector who really delved deeply into a collecting specialty that took his fancy. He knew the subject well. It is understandable he was at one time ANA Historian. I will miss him.