Robert Hitchcock Spain (October 26, 1925 – September 9, 2022) was an American bishop of the United Methodist Church who was elected in 1988.
At the age of seventeen, Spain joined the U.S. Navy, serving in the South Pacific until the end of World War II.
Upon changing his life's direction into ordained ministry, he entered the University of North Alabama, from which he earned a B.A.
Spain was ordained deacon in 1953 and elder in 1954, both times by Bishop Roy H. Short.
Spain served four successive appointments: Livingston, Lebanon, Belle Meade in Nashville, and Brentwood.
Upon his election and consecration, Bishop Spain was assigned to the Louisville Episcopal Area (1988–92), serving as Presiding Bishop of the Louisville and Kentucky Annual Conferences, and of the Red Bird Missionary Conference (located in southeastern Kentucky).
[1] Upon his retirement August 1992, Bishop Spain taught clergy and laity through the Focus on Ministry seminar, sponsored by the United Methodist Publishing House in Nashville.