Remembering Mark Spreyer
A longtime friend of Lake County Audubon Society and the broader conservation community, Mark Spreyer will be remembered for his extraordinary knowledge of wildlife, engaging storytelling, and lifelong dedication to conservation and environmental education.
Mark had a gift for holding an audience's attention. His presentations often featured live animals and were filled with fascinating stories and his wonderful sense of humor. He also generously welcomed Audubon meetings to Stillman Nature Center, where he served as Executive Director for more than 30 years.
Mark passed away on November 5, 2026. We are grateful for the knowledge, inspiration, and friendship he shared with so many. He will be greatly missed.
We invite you to read Mark's obituary, which reflects his remarkable life and love of the natural world.
Mark Spreyer
Mark F. Spreyer, Executive Director of the Stillman Nature Center in S. Barrington, died on November 5, 2026.
Mark, a Barrington native, received an undergraduate degree in Forestry from the University of Michigan. He did his graduate work at St. Cloud State in Minnesota on great gray owls and then went on to organize and direct Chicago's peregrine falcon release program. Under his leadership, Chicago hosted the first nest of peregrines in Illinois in 37 years.
In early 1995, after completing work on a 5,000 square-foot raptor exhibit with the Science Museum of Minnesota, Mark migrated back to Illinois to become Executive Director of the Stillman Nature Center in Barrington. During his career, Mark has also worked with the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, National Audubon Society, and taught at the College of Lake County.
Mr. Spreyer also enjoyed being an author. From scientific publications to newsletters, Mark’s nature writings reached a variety of audiences. For example, his bird articles appeared in Birder's World and the Journal of the Association of Avian Veterinarians.
Later in life, he took pleasure in writing nature columns for the Daily Herald. In 2016, a collection of his entertaining nature essays was published as a book titled Natural Digressions.
Those who heard Mark speak will not soon forget his sense of humor and fondness for word play. To thousands of Chicagoland school children and adults, Mark will be remembered as the “Owl Man” as he conducted hundreds of owl programs at schools, libraries, and garden club meetings for over forty years.
Most of his achievements would not have been possible without the assistance of Susan Allman, his partner and dedicated conservationist in her own right.
Finally, Mark owes his career to a variety of rescued sled dogs that howled with coyotes and made certain he got out on the trails.
Services will be held privately by family. A celebration of Mark’s life will take place at Stillman Nature Center when the bluebells are in bloom.
Contributions may be made to Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, S. Barrington, Illinois 60010 or go to stillmannc.org.
Photo: Daily Herald
