THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 11, 1996 TAG: 9602090167
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 11 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close-Up
SOURCE: Christine M. Points
LENGTH: Medium: 87 lines
The longing to preach took hold of Daniel Spaugh shortly after he began an apprenticeship with Portsmouth Tool and Die Co. in 1967.
It stuck with him through a career as a nuclear overhaul production manager at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard.
``I worked at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine, and while at an audit had the honor of meeting Adm. Hyman Rickover,'' said Spaugh. ``I had the privilege of speaking to him on two different occasions. He made quite a difference in my life.''
Two mottoes of Rickover's, ``Learn from other people's mistakes because you won't live long enough to make them all yourself'' and ``No friction, no motion'' are sayings that Spaugh took to heart.
And while the desire to go into the ministry continued, Spaugh was busy making a living. He had a family to support.
Then in October of 1994, a medical condition caused him to be unable to do his job at the shipyard. He went out on medical disability.
Spaugh believes he was allowed to do so because of the shipyard downsizing.
He had already started moving toward the ministry.
In 1993, he took a one-week course at the Local Pastors' Licensing School. He has also studied at the divinity school of Duke University.
In the fall, he'll start working toward a degree at Virginia Wesleyan College.
It will be four years before he can be ordained, but already Spaugh has his own church.
For the past seven months he has served as pastor to Park View United Methodist Church, a small church he has attended for 37 years.
Since then he has tried to bolster the church's membership of 115. He believes the church can only play a role in the community if the people allow it to.
``I have gone door-to-door to about 65 percent of the homes in this neighborhood,'' said Spaugh. ``I have yet to see an increase in attendance or membership.''
But Spaugh doesn't let that dampen his resolve. A man who has waited 22 years to realize his dream of being a minister is not likely to lose patience with his flock.
Name: Daniel G. Spaugh.
Nickname: Dan or Danny.
Neighborhood: Cradock.
Number of years in Portsmouth: 38
Birthplace: Winston-Salem, N.C.
Birthdate: Oct. 31, 1946.
Occupation: Methodist minister.
What job other than your own would you like? Professor of Theology.
Marital status: Married to Bette M. Spaugh.
Children/grandchildren: Three daughters ages 31, 28 and 26; one stepson age 22, and a stepdaughter age 16. Five grandchildren.
Fondest childhood memory: Christmas mornings.
First concert: Johnny Mathis, 1964, at the old Center Theater in Norfolk.
What song or book title best describes your life? The Bible.
If you won the lottery, what's the very first thing you'd buy? I don't play, but if I did, I would give 10 percent to the church; help the elderly and the homeless.
If you could trade places for just one day with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? The president of the United States; ``To call the nation to repentance; to return to the God who we have deserted.''
Biggest accomplishment: Attending Duke University.
Most embarrassing moment: Forgetting someone's name while making introductions.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? That my heart would be broken by the same things that break God's heart.
Perfect way to spend the day: Sightseeing with Bette.
I can't resist: My mother's potato salad.
Favorite Portsmouth restaurant: The Lobscouser.
Favorite Portsmouth hangout: Portsmouth waterfront
Biggest problem facing Portsmouth: Crime and inner city deterioration.
If you had three wishes for Portsmouth, what would they be?
1. To rid the city of its drug lords and dealers.
2. The speedy restoration of old neighborhoods.
3. That true Christianity, with all of its self-discipline, would overtake the city. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARK MITCHELL
by CNB