Richard “Dick” Spencer from Sylacauga is bishop of the U.S. Military Diocese. He supervises 617 military chaplains in 171 countries.

Recently he announced to his Sylacauga High Class of ’69 that he is in Washington’s Walter Reed Hospital battling Parkinson’s Disease and prostate cancer.

Spencer, an active member of his unusually-active high school class, made the announcement in an e-mail and Facebook post to his class members.

Spencer offered up spiritual support for anyone going through a healing journey like his own, making himself available to spend time with anyone who needs it.

He made it clear he’s still undergoing treatment at Walter Reed but hopes to return to Atlanta and begin his personal ministry in early February.

“My mission is to inspire and influence with love, hope, understanding, compassion, and a positive persistent attitude,” Spencer said.

“Repair and Restore.” That’s what Bishop Spencer has named his newest personal ministry, stemming from his own journey through two life-threatening diseases.

During that time of personal concerns, Bishop Spencer has continued to minister to others in the U.S. military and back in Sweet Home Alabama.

He has sat with grieving families. He has prayed with those in his large extended Alabama “family” fighting death, disease and life challenges.

Bishop Spencer is using his own struggle to minister to others, especially to those fighting the all-too-frequent life-altering conditions of Parkinson’s and prostate cancer.

The latest chapter in the life journey of Richard “Dickie” Spencer is prayerfully not his last. It’s an Alabama story.

You wouldn’t think a small Alabama town would have a Catholic community. It does, with its own Catholic Church, St. Jude.

One of many positive things the church has done is to produce a high-ranking and difference-making clergyman.

It’s a long way from being an altar boy in Sylacauga to being a bishop of the U.S. Military Diocese, but that is the life journey made by Dickie Spencer. It’s a Horatio Alger story and an Alabama story.

Spencer, then known as “Dickie,” was a studious and serious high school student. He came from a good Catholic blue-collar family with five children.

Dickie was faithful in Sylacauga’s St. Jude Church, becoming an altar boy. From there, it was to Jacksonville State University, then into the U.S. Military for a career as a military policeman and then chaplain. Then, into serious studies to become a priest.

After his clergy career began, it took off on an upward trend.

He is not Dickie Spencer anymore. He is Bishop Richard Spencer of the U.S. Military Diocese — the highest-ranking clergyman from Sylacauga.

Spencer was headquartered in Germany for years, working with U.S. military personnel stationed in Europe. Nowadays, he is back stateside in Atlanta.

Dickie Spencer has not forgotten where he came from. He has come home often. Nine years ago, he returned home for a visit. He informed the local priest of his coming and was asked to conduct Mass at his home church. He did so.

When Bishop Spencer looked out into the congregation, lo and behold, he was surprised to see members of his Class of 1969 of Sylacauga High — Protestants, Catholics and all.

Now, those classmates are returning the service to one who always served them. God bless Bishop Richard Spencer. And may you recover and resume your difference-making life service, Dickie.

Jim Zig Zeigler is a contributing writer for Yellowhammer News. His beat includes the positive and colorful about Alabama – her people, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former State Auditor and Public Service Commissioner. You can reach him at [email protected]