Richard (Dick) Spafford was born in Weyburn, Saskatchewan, and moved with his family to Swan River, Outlook, and Shellbrook. He graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a B.A. and diploma in education. Afterwards, he worked briefly as a bank manager and then taught art at Aden Bowman Collegiate in Saskatoon, both occupations for which he believed he was poorly suited (though, in fact, he was widely admired as an art teacher). In the late 1960s, when a friend put his bookstore, Northland Books, up for sale, Richard decided to leave teaching and take up the new venture. Shortly thereafter, he recognized that Regina did not have a specialized bookstore, and so he opened the Book Cellar in the Cathedral district, starting with his own cache of $400 worth of books and $400 of borrowed money. The store eventually became Spafford Books, moving to its current spacious quarters on Broad Street. Bookselling was Richard’s life’s passion. He was fascinated by all books: from children’s fables, to comics, to antiquarian books.

Starting in the early 1980s, Richard served as an appraiser for the National Archives. He also worked as an appraiser for libraries and archival departments, developing along the way a keen sense of the fragility and importance of historical documents. He amassed one of the largest collections of Indigenous, Prairie, and Canadian history material in the country, which were sought after by academic libraries throughout North America. When his daughter, Leah, moved back to Regina, she worked closely with her dad in bookselling and appraisals. After a stroke left him partially paralyzed in 2005, Leah cared for her dad and the business, the two continuing a lifelong relationship based on deep love.

In addition to books, Richard was a consummate and gifted collector of fine art, ceramics, and antiques. He had a special eye for picking out rare and historical items and recognizing emerging artists. Many of the pieces he collected over the years can be found in the permanent collections of the Mackenzie Art Gallery, Moose Jaw Museum & Art Gallery, the Saskatchewan Arts Board, Canadian Museum of History, and the Glenbow. Richard was a charismatic person, an engaging raconteur, and an endlessly interesting individual whose sense of humour was unmatched. He was a creative thinker with a strong sense of self and devotion to family and his many close friends.

Over the years Richard was involved in many major initiatives that helped to foster a rich and creative environment for Saskatchewan artists. After the death of his wife, artist and arts administrator Jane Turnbull Evans, Richard continued her vision for supporting the arts through an agency endowed to hold gifts and bequests. The Saskatchewan Foundation for the Arts was established by the Saskatchewan legislature in 1999 and now has an endowment of $2.2 million. In 2005, Richard was awarded the Lieutenant Governor’s Arts Award for Leadership for his contributions to the arts and culture in Saskatchewan.

He is survived by his daughter Leah Spafford; stepson Jed Evans (Shelley Patterson) and stepgrandchild Ethan Evans; stepgrandchild Brady Keeler; stepdaughter Kristin Mae Evans; sister Janice Shoquist; numerous nieces and nephews; special friend, Carle Steel; and his many friends, among them his dear friends Dr. Neil Devitt and Lynn Crook. He was predeceased by his wife Jane Turnbull Evans; stepgrandchild Jane Evans; parents Hazel and Wilfred Spafford; brother Duff Spafford; brother-in-law Garry Shoquist; and former spouse Cathy Lauritsen.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Paragon Funeral Home. At Richard’s request, no funeral service will be held. In memory of his life, donations may be made to the Dick & Jane Fund of the Saskatchewan Foundation for the Arts (saskartsfoundation.com).