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Robert Sparks Missing Person Case

Last seen in McAllen, Texas on Nov 19, 1972

Victim Details

Apr 28, 2020

Sep 11, 2023

Robert

Sparks

98

45

70 inches

168 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Nov 19, 1972

McAllen

Texas

Hidalgo County

No

81682

Federal Bureau of Investigation - San Antonio Field Office

San Antonio

Texas

Bexar County

78249

5740 University Heights Boulevard, Texas

2102256741

Federal

Law Enforcement

https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/sanantonio

7-772

Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office

8965

Brown

Brown

Brown

07/23/2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

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Robert Douglas Sparks, a 45-year-old private pilot and retired Air Force officer, went missing on November 19, 1972, after departing from McAllen, Texas. He had been hired by a man named Lonnie D. Shaw to fly around the lower Rio Grande Valley for a photography trip. The two left McAllen in a 1970 Piper Cherokee aircraft that Sparks had rented for the flight. At around 1:50 PM, Sparks contacted the FAA, stating they were en route to Tampico, Mexico, even though he lacked the required papers to e ...
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Last Seen: Nov 19, 1972

Links to Additional Sources (4)

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  • 3318DMTX - Robert Douglas Sparks - Doe Network
  • Missing Persons and Unidentified Persons Cases Updates
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    Forum Posts (2)

    I keep coming back to the fact that Robert had a flight lesson scheduled for later that day, and he ... ...Read More
    03/02/2024
    I've been following the Robert Douglas Sparks case and something that really puzzles me is the choic... ...Read More
    06/02/2023
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