He retired from the Navy in 1959, then joined the charitable hospital ship SS Hope as its chief medical officer.
[4]Spangler was well into his running program in 1975 when the Corona Del Mar Track Club held a meet in San Luis Obispo.
[6] He completed the New York Marathon later in 1989[4] and continued to train with the goal of competing at age 100.
[7] In his 28 year running career, Spangler claimed 85 national age group records at various distances.
[9][10] USA Track & Field (USATF) named its annual award for the outstanding Masters Long Distance Running athlete after Spangler.