R. Leo Sprinkle passed away peacefully “In Love & Light” on November 15th, 2021, in Laramie, WY. Born on August 31, 1930, in Rocky Ford, CO, he attended CU in Boulder and earned a B.A. in Psychology, Education, Sociology and History in 1952. He married Marilyn J. Nelson in Boulder, CO, on June 7, 1952. He served in the U.S. Army in Germany from 1952 to 1954, where he was Honor Student No 1, Class No. A-5324, 7th Army NCO Academy. He served as corporal in the 194th F.A.B. in Wertheim.
Leo earned a M.P.S. in Counseling from CU in 1956, and a PhD in Counseling and Guidance from the University of Missouri in 1961. The University of North Dakota hired him as Assistant Professor of Psychology and Director of the Counseling Center from 1961 to 1964. He became a licensed psychologist in 1966. The University of Wyoming’s Counseling and Testing Center employed him as Counseling Psychologist and Associate Professor of Psychology from 1964-1989, where he eventually became Director there as well. He and Marilyn made Laramie their home and raised four children. Red Feather Lakes, CO, was always a special place for the family.
After retiring from UW, Leo continued working in private practice. He taught self-hypnosis techniques in classes and through his self-help videotape, Trance Forming Yourself. He studied reincarnation and past life regression, and published a book, Soul Samples, in 1999. A UFO researcher of international fame, he published over fifty articles, wrote forewords for other researchers’ books, and was interviewed on national TV programs including ABC’s That’s Incredible and NBC’s Tomorrow Show. He was instrumental in the success of the UFO Conferences held in Laramie for over twenty years.
People suffering everything from test anxiety to suicidal behavior sought his counsel, and his most ardent supporters were those who knew him personally. A mix of intellectualism, spirituality and humor defined his style, and it was authenticated by his personal integrity and limitless energy. He was an excellent yodeler and a prolific writer of clever limericks. In his eighties he dominated Wyoming Senior Olympics in swimming, track, and basketball. He was a beloved son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, mentor, and guru.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and two grandsons. He is survived by his sister, Faye of Harper, KS; his wife, Marilyn of Laramie, WY; sons Nelson (& Jill) of Loveland, CO; Eric of Aurora, CO; Matt (& Rosalie) of Laramie, WY; daughter Kristen of Laramie, WY; and six grandchildren.
Details will be announced later for a public memorial service to be held in Laramie, WY, in the summer of 2022.
Leo helped me when I was so alone and he was all I had even when I was surrounded by a multitude of people
I went to Pharmacy school in Laramie, Wyoming from 1979 to 1982. I got to know Leo Sprinkle during my three years in Laramie. I was very lucky to be friends with him. RIP
Changed my life and put me on the right track when I was sorely needing guidance. So grateful you, blithe spirit, were in my life.
Dear Leo, I cherished our first conversation about ETs, UFOs, and Regression Therapy. That was in 1966 at the University of Wyoming. Thank you for being a brilliant teacher. Your Light in this field will always be felt. It was an honor for me to have you write the introduction to my first book, Strange Quest, in 2005. May you now enjoy the Wondrous Love and Light of the Universe. I know that we will meet again. My Condolences to the Sprinkle family, Dr Robert Cave
Dear Leo, I’ve dreaded looking you up on line for fear of exactly this. There are no words nor poetry beautiful enough to describe how priceless you are not just to me but everyone who had the great fortune to know you. You will always have a special place in my heart & I will miss you terribly. You are a remarkable man to have remembered me after meeting me in late 1977 as part of your APRO research. You certainly made that experience livable for me. I don’t think I could have dealt with the trauma of the experience without you. For that along with everything I’m eternally greatful. I will miss you deeply everyday of my life, but I know I’ll see you again on the other side. (You learn a lot about death after 5 near death experiences). Thank you for all the wonderful things you did for all of us in your life. You were always so supportive, helpful, encouraging, & compassionate. Your work was brilliant!! Thanks to your work with the repair of unexplainable phobias by the use of hypnosis that take a patient back before they were born, I’ve been able to help others similarly. It’s a great joy to watch someone heal finally. But this is only a brief example of your talent. Your genius will never be forgotten. I send you my love & appreciation. I also send my greatest condolences to your wife, Marylin & all your family members. You are all very lucky to have been blessed with him in your lives. Please know how dearly he is forever loved by so many. Sincerely Betty
Hi Betty, Graeme from Australia. I listened to a Podcast that Leo did and his information was as I thought a more younger person would impart. He reminds me of Dolores Cannon. Ageless and just imparting information, not opinion. Glad you found him in your journey as he made a difference for you. Thank you for sharing your story about someone I never knew, but now, cant wait to read his work. Take Care x Graeme
I just learned about Leo's passing. Thank you, so much Leo, for helping me in my quest for inner peace and happiness. Your mentorship, research, kind letters, funny stories and limericks were delightful, and your strength and loving demeanor always cheered me up. Best wishes to Marilyn and the entire family.
Love and light Leo! Thank you for everything! The love, the support, the opportunity to awaken into myself even more! Fridays with Leo will always be close to my heart! My daughter who's now 16 has been receiving your messages. Thank you!
Peace love and light my friend, you helped me so much, and awakened my spirit to the realitys of what life truly is. I will always remember you professor. God speed to you. Your friend, And student Jeffrey
My deepest sympathy to you…family and friends of Leo. He taught me to honor my experiences and those of others. I learned to trust my inner being because of the wisdom he imparted. His cheerful and calm presence made me feel safe and he always encouraged me to find and share the hidden gems of joy in my difficult moments. Leo opened the doors to new and valid realities. He will be very much missed. I plan to make the trip for his service in the summer of 2022. Love and Light dear Leo.
Ah, Leo, my teacher. There will never be words to express how much you helped me. You were so right as to who I am, and why the US military and UFO’s wouldn’t leave me alone. You told me about Ann & Stan, that they had experience the same military activity at their home during childhood. You helped make me a better person to help humanity. Much love & light always, Johanna
Networking through correspondence with Leo over the last two decades inspired me to keep on writing, coping with paraphysical issues so as to also address COVID & climate crises. Strength.
I took a hypnosis seminar class from Dr.Sprinkle years ago. I, thoroughly enjoyed meeting him. Rest in peace!
I’m not even sure what to say. Dr Leo and my father were the best of friends. I knew him almost exclusively through my father though. They shared goals. And perspectives. This much I could see. Dr Leo was a regular part of discussions. I wish I’d known Dr Leo better, but I’m on my own path and he had his dharma to work as well. I wish warm bright lights for his path forward. I wish a more ready acceptance for his blunt truthfulness. I hope his next life has as beautiful a family as this one. Bless you Leo. And bless your family. —Kevin
Love and prayers to the Sprinkle family. Dr. Sprinkle was a kind and brilliant man. My mom knew him many years ago at UW and he provided her with profound insight and was gentle with a loving heart. I spoke with him a year ago and he offered me excellent guidance as I started my PhD/dissertation journey. His loss will be felt by many.
My condolences to his family and friends. May your love for humanity continue to grow on earth.
Leo was an amazing man and an amazing soul. The blessing of his life was the love and relationship he had with his beautiful wife and family. May you find comfort in that great love.
To the Sprinkle family- such sad news. Please accept my deepest condolences for your great loss. I’m so thankful I had a chance to know Leo, just a little. My heart goes out to all of you. May your love for one another and your multitude of memories comfort you at this time, and always. Sincerely, Katey Cobb
Very sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Marilyn and Family, It was my pleasure to know and work with Leo. His influence is felt in so many ways in my life journey. Hugs for you All. Remember the joy he had for life. Becky Riley