May 30, 2006
Bruce Sperling, youth pastor at Lombard (Illinois) Bible Church, and his younger brother, Mark, were in a boating accident on the Fox River, which is west of Chicago. In the process of trying to rescue a kayaker, both were caught in a swift current, were pulled under, and drowned.
Bruce and Mark were on the shore of the river and witnessed the kayaker’s attempt to maneuver over a dam. He got caught in the strong undertow at the foot of the dam. Law enforcement officials are saying the brothers are heros because they gave their lives in an attempt to save another person. Local news stations have interviewed the brothers’ father and siblings, along with a number of teens from the Lombard church.
Bruce leaves behind a wife, Jill. They were married for 18 months.