A Eulogy for Sandy

From our "blog book reviewer" and Reunion Emcee, Rick Spencer:

Sandy, The Brightest Star in Tonight's Heaven

I think I first met Sandy over fifty years ago. I can say for certain that every meeting I had with him always began with a smile, never a scowl. Always with an enthusiastic greeting that lit up my day.

Sandy was one of my veteran friends who defined and lived the 'brotherly love' that is the glue of the military ethos, then and now.  He was the epitome of those who helped form that bond among us who may have had nothing in common but facing the dangerous unknowns of military duty. Additionally, Sandy was constantly performing inherently good personal acts to help each
that he knew, and that he did until his last days.

During this Tuesday and Wednesday his 'brothers' will turn out in full force to honor and to remember him for his goodness,  for his unselfishness, and for his years of military duty. That ethos, 'brotherly love,' remains to our last; and, Sandy shall be so honored for his contributions to the world where we all shared so much together.  In the end it will be, justly so, a celebration of the life of a good man, who will forever be remembered as just that: a very good man.

Tonight when you look toward heaven the brightest star will be Sandy once again greeting us with his smile that never fades. It has been my good fortune to know Sandy, as it has been for all of us.

Sandstrom Tribute

I've heard from many of Sandy's friends with condolences, memories and respectful comments. Sandy was the Core of our Dover 133 network and legacy. Thanks to Andrew Fleming for the following tribute that reflects the thoughts and prayers of all of us:

We have lost a great "Warrior," a dedicated volunteer, and a very dear friend.

From my first visits to Dover, to work on the C-133 restoration project, Sandy was one of the key people who made my visits all the more pleasurable.  His happy smiling face always made me feel that I was welcome, and in very good company. 

I was even fortunate enough to benefit from his open-hearted hospitality when he offered to let me stay at his house on subsequent visits in order to save money on hotels.  Riding from his home to the base for air shows was always a fun time which added immeasurably to my enjoyment of the total air show experience.

He will be missed.

May he rest in peace.


Andrew S. Fleming

Sandstrom Obituary

Thanks to Bill Neely for sending and Hank Baker for writing the following:

Sandstrom, Edward B.

Edward B. "Sandy" Sandstrom passed away Wednesday, April 3, 2013 in Beebe Hospital, Lewes. He was 78.

Sandy was born August 13, 1934 in St. Paul, Minnesota, son of the late George and Julia (Burtness) Sandstrom.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy, transferring to the U.S. Air Force proudly serving 24 years and retiring as Chief Master Sergeant where is served overseas and had many missions worldwide. The planes in which he served as flight engineer included the C-124, C-133 and C-5. He later worked for Playtex, LD Caulk, and the AAL Insurance Co.

His hobbies included boating, CG Auxiliary, volunteering at the AMC Museum at Dover Air Force Base where he was a Tour Guide and helped with the restoration projects of the airplanes. He also volunteered with the Coast Guard Auxiliary, church and civic organizations.

Sandy was always a leader, very driven to make things happen, was always available and had a pleasant attitude. He had lots of interesting recounts of history and friends were very important to him. Sandy will be sorely missed.

He is preceded in death by a daughter Julie Claire.

Sandy is survived by his son Eddy Sandstrom and siblings George Sandstrom (Peg), Louise DuBois and Joanne Owen (Bill), two granddaughters, Jennifer Wells and Janet Claire Sandstrom and four great grandchildren.

Viewing will be 6-8 pm Tuesday, April 9 at the Pippin Funeral Home, 119 W. Camden-Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming.

Service will be 11:00 am April 10 at the Lutheran Church of Our Savior, 20276 Bay Vista Rd., Rehoboth. Burial with full military honors will follow at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Millsboro.
 
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Air Mobility Command Museum, 1301 Heritage Rd., Dover AFB DE 19902.

Letters of condolences can be sent via www.pippinfuneralhome.com

(04/05/13)

Arrangements for Sandy

This just in.....

There will be a viewing for Sandy on Tuesday evening, April 9 from 6-8 PM at Pippin Funeral Home in Camden, DE with the funeral being held the next day, Wednesday, April 10 at 11:00 AM at the Lutheran Church of Our Savior, 20276 Bay Vista Rd., Rehoboth Beach, DE.  Internment will be held at the Military Cemetery in Millsboro, DE at 2:00 PM.

We miss him so much already.

Hank & Dotty

Shock & Awe!

The flood of reactions to the news of Sandy's passing includes the following (please leave Comments on this blogpost):

From Walt McCann....

Here is a picture, taken last year at Sandy's house, in Rehoboth Beach, DE.
Sandy is on the top left and I'm standing next to him.
Jimmy Nolan is front left with Hank Baker on the right.
All four of us were C-133 Flight Engineers, at DAFB, from the late 50's to early 70's.
I will dearly miss my Buddy.      Fond Regards-  Walt McCann

From Bill Neely....

Sad news about Sandy.
He and I only met at the C-133 reunion but we had become friends and exchanged e-mails regularly. I'll miss him and his humorous messages about Minnesota.
At our age we must enjoy every day for we do not have many left in this world.

Sandy Sandstrom

I regret that I must share shocking news I just received from Hank Baker in Dover that we've lost our Dear Friend and Master 133 Crew Colleague, Sandy Sandstrom! He passed away very suddenly from "pancreatic cancer" only detected 3 weeks ago. Otherwise, a very healthy "warrior," it was Sandy's time to be taken from us to a better place.

Please join me in praying for his soul and the grieving of his family and many friends.

I'll pass along the obituary with arrangements that Hank is preparing at this moment.

Blessings.......never thought of Sandy "not being there!"