Dr. Peter Grant Sparks graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a B.S. in 1961 and a Ph.D. in 1968 in physical chemistry. He did postdoctoral work as a research fellow in applied physics at Cornell University.

In 1969 Dr. Sparks joined the faculty of the University of Delaware, where he taught art conservation and chemistry. 

In 1981 he moved to Washington, D.C., to become Director of Preservation at the Library of Congress. 

In 1989 he returned to the Philadelphia area to work with the Preservation Services Office of the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts as a consultant to university libraries, museums, archives and historical societies.

In 2000 Dr. Sparks moved to Arizona, settling in the town of Carefree north of Scottsdale, where he taught chemistry labs for several years at Arizona State University.

IPeter is survived by his wife of 32 years, Margaret Holley; his former wife Bonnie Murray; his daughter  and grandson; his son, two grandchildren, and three step-grandchildren; astep-great-grandson; two nieces, and a grandniece. Peter was preceded in death by his younger sister.

The funeral service will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Penn Fund at the University of Pennsylvania, Office of the Treasurer, PO Box 71332, Philadelphia, PA 19176-9913, or to Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library, 5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, Delaware 19735