Longtime Daily Herald nature columnist Mark Spreyer dies at 69

Posted November 10, 2026 10:53 am

By Mark Spreyer, Daily Herald Columnist

Mark Spreyer, executive director of the Stillman Nature Center in South Barrington, died Nov. 5, 2026. Spreyer had written a nature column for the Daily Herald for many years. (Mark Spreyer)

Mark F. Spreyer, executive director of the Stillman Nature Center in South Barrington, died on Nov. 5, 2026, at 69.

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.

Ornithologist Mark Spreyer of Stillman Nature Center discusses the wingspan of this Great Horned Owl during a 2009 presentation at the Volo Bog State Natural Area in Ingleside. (Bob Chwedyk/Daily Herald)

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 also worked with the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and National Audubon Society and taught at the College of Lake County.

Ornithologist Mark Spreyer of Stillman Nature Center in Barrington holds a Barn Owl during a 2009 presentation at the Volo Bog State Natural Area in Ingleside. (Bob Chwedyk/Daily Herald)

Mark 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: A Natural History for the 21st Century.”

Those who heard Mark speak will not soon forget his sense of humor and fondness for word play. To thousands of Chicagoland schoolchildren 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 40 years.

Stillman Nature Center Executive Director Mark Spreyer leads the annual New Year’s Day walk along the Stillman’s trails in South Barrington in 2017. (Mark Black/Daily Herald)

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 his 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, South Barrington, Illinois 60010 or go to stillmannc.org.