Robert Sandquist
October 22, 2010
Robert P. Sandquist, 76, of Altoona entered into eternal life Friday, October 22, with family by his side. Bob died of complications from a 3 week bout with esophageal cancer.
Robert was born June 12, 1934, to Harold and Ruth Sandquist in Bondurant, Iowa. He graduated from Bondurant High School and went on to obtain a BS in Education from Drake University and a Masters in Education from the University of Northern Colorado.
He taught business and coached at Van Cleve and then coached all sports at Randall where his team won a State Baseball Championship. He also coached basketball at South Hamilton School. In 1963, he moved to Des Moines and taught business and was the head boy’s basketball coach at East High School. Later in his coaching career he spent summers as the head baseball coach at Southeast Polk High School for 10 years. Bob served in administration as Vice Principal at Harding Middle School, Central Campus High School and Hoyt Middle School. He retired from Des Moines Public School System in 2006.
Bob was a well respected official at the high school and college levels, including the Iowa Conference, the Big 8, and Big 10. He was a past president of the Des Moines Officials Association and a commissioner for National AAU basketball. Through the many camps he held, he assisted a number of young officials with their officiating careers.
He was an avid sports fan and attended almost every basketball, baseball, softball, football, volleyball, cheerleading competition and dance show in which his 12 grandchildren participated in. He inspired all his children with their various activities and mentored his sons Bob, Jr. and Rick in their high school and college coaching careers. He was a season ticket holder for the Iowa Cubs and Drake University basketball. He also loved working at the Iowa State Fair selling tickets every day it was held. Bob and his wife Chris were members of Altoona United Methodist Church.
Bob will be deeply missed by his family, many friends, and colleagues. His memory is honored by his wife of 7 years, Chris; children, Bob Jr. (Bridget) Sandquist of Johnston, Rick (Annette) Sandquist of Ft. Dodge, Doug (Shelly) Sandquist, of Pleasant Hill and Joleen (Brian) Roskamp of Johnston; ex-wife Bea Sandquist, of Pleasant Hill; his step-children, Camille (Matt) Swartz-Stevens; James Swartz and Richard (Terry) Swartz; his twelve grandchildren: Kristina Sandquist of Des Moines, Ashley (Seamus) Wilkerson of Ankeny, Amy Sandquist of Ft. Dodge, Blake Sandquist of Pleasant Hill, Ricky Sandquist of Ft. Dodge, Tony Sandquist of Pleasant Hill, Jordan Sandquist of Johnston, Lexa Sandquist of Pleasant Hill, Riley Roskamp of Johnston, Bowen Sandquist of Johnston, Baylee Roskamp of Johnston and Kelsey Roskamp of Johnston; his step-grandchildren, Alexis Swartz, Cassidy Swartz and Brianna Stevens; and 3 great-grandchildren: Cohen Moore, Leighton and Jace Wilkerson. He is also survived by his brother Bill (Coleen) Sandquist of Adel, four nephews and many cousins.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents Harold and Ruth Sandquist.
Visitation will be Monday from 5:00-8:00 pm at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Ave, Des Moines. Funeral Services will be Tuesday at 10:00 am at Altoona Methodist Church, 602 5th Avenue SW, Altoona, with burial to follow at Berwick Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be directed to Bondurant Farrar Education Foundation, c/o The Bob Sandquist Sports Scholarship, 300 Garfield St. SW, Bondurant, IA 50035.
Online condolence to:
www.HamitlonsFuneralHome.com
Theresa Pilkington
01/27/2019
I'm so sorry to hear this news. He was a great vice principle. I was a student of his at harding jr high. I learned a lot from him. RIP Mr Sandquist. You are deeply missed.
Duane Duncan
11/17/2010
I am deeply saddend to have Bob leave us so early in life. Bob was a mentor, friend and father figure to me. I always talked to Bob at every I-Cub game I went to. When I umpired or officiated his grandson's or granddaughter's games he was always ther with a kind word of how well we offictiated it. Bob always had a kind word every time we talked. So needless to say I will miss him all the games he would be at and every day in life.
Jane Hildbrand
10/29/2010
Wanted to send you my sympathies on the death of Bob. As a women's basketball coach in the Iowa Conference, Bob was one of the first officials I became acquainted with. Bob was well respected by the coaches in the league, always professional in the way he handle his games. I enjoyed working with him when I was on the NCAA national committee, working together to promote IIAC officials to work the NCAA games.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. May God's Peace be with you all.
Jane Hildebrand
Luther College
Christina Zink (Deever)
10/27/2010
I am so sorry for the loss of such a great man. I had the pleasure of having him as a VP while attending Harding. I then had him as a VP at Central Campus.
I did not know how great he was until I talked to my Uncle. You see I went to school in Hawaii and did not move back until 4th grade. My Uncle told me that I needed to respect Mr. Sandquist because he was a great guy. Well my uncle was right.
Years later I had the privelage of getting an interview to work down at Central Campus. I was scared needless to say because this was Mr. Sandquist.Needless to say I was hired and I am still working with BD kids to this day and that was 10 years ago.
I really found out how big his heart was when I got to work with him there. I had a rough first year with a kid in the hospital. I exceeded my daysthat year and Bob had to call me in for a talk. Lucky for me I was back the following year and he gave me a second chance. I will always be grateful to him for having faith in me. I hope when I get my teaching degree I am as successful as he was.
The world has lost a great man but heaven welcomed him with open arms.
Sincerely,
Christina Zink (Deever)
Don Skinner
10/27/2010
I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on his tombstone from the beginning to the end.
He noted the first came the date of his birth, and spoke of the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time that he spent alive on earth
and now only those who loved him, know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own, the cars.. the house.. the cash.
What matters is how we live and love, and how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard; are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left, that can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough to consider what's true and real -
and always try to understand the way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives like we've never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile
remembering that this special dash might only last a while.
So when your eulogy is being read with your life's actions to rehash
would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash?
Author unknown
Keith Kohler Family
10/26/2010
To Doug and family,
So sorry to hear of your loss. I always enjoyed visiting with Bob at various games. Our deepest sympathies are with you.
Friends,
Keith Kohler and family
Ames, Iowa
Bert Thomas
10/26/2010
Our deepest sympathy and prayers to the family of Bob Sandquist on his passing. Bob and I were classmates in the Physical Education program at Drake University. We were also fraternity brothers and best of friends during his last two years at Drake. We even played softball together during the summer vacations. I made a career in the U.S. Air Force and settled in San Antonio, Texas, and haven't seen much of him over the past years, but I have always kept track of him through our mutual friends. I have always been proud to hear and read about his teaching, coaching and administrative accomplishments, and I am very sadden hearing of his passing. Again, our prayers are with his family. Bob is always in my thoughts.
Bert and Caroline Thomas
Kris (Miller) Young
10/26/2010
Bob was a great guy and will be missed. Blessings and Hugs to his family.
Donald Graves
10/26/2010
We wish to extend our condolences to the Sandquist family. May God be with you in your time of need. Don and Mary Graves.
LG Sheldon
10/26/2010
Iam at a lose for words in such a situation. All I can say is I am sorry and yoyou can call me any time and God Bless.Your Friend always,LG.
Diana M. Smith
10/25/2010
I was a teacher at Tech High School/Central Campus when Mr. Sandquist was vice principal.
Tenderly, gently, and softly may God's peace replace your heartache with warm and loving memories.
JUST ASK
Some days we walk a lonely path
With teardrops in our eyes,
Caught up in worries of the day
Before we realize
That God is there to share the load
No matter what the task;
The weight is eased when shared by two--
All we need do is ask.
Sandra Town Lytle
Ann Henryson Hitzhusen
10/25/2010
I have such good memories of Bob Sandquist as my basketball coach at Randall High School my junior and senior years. After having three coaches in the two years previous, he came in and brought stability to our team. I remember he drilled us on fundamentals, blew that whistle as we ran back and forth doing wind sprints (I thought my lungs would burst) and taught us strategies of play and how to think on the court during a game. I learned the value of teamwork and trying to do your best at all times and not give up. I remember he kept us fired up to win a county championship by asking us in the coaching huddle whether we wanted the big trophy or the little trophy. I think it rather amused him that such a statement would work, he definitely knew the psychology of sport as well as the strategy. He was a fine man and one of my favorite teachers.
So I was sad to learn of his death and want to offer my deepest sympathy to family and friends who have known him so well. Even though I only knew him for two years, he influenced me in so many positive ways that have helped me in my life and I share the deep loss you must feel.
John & Lee Lundahl
10/25/2010
We want all of you to know that our prayers are with each of you during your time of grief -- God bless you all - Lee & John
Kim Butler
10/25/2010
I'm so sorry for the sudden loss of your Father and Grandfather. If the character of my good friend Joleen is any indication you will all carry his legacy forward to accomplish great things in his memory.
Shari and Steve Antonell
10/25/2010
I am so sorry for your loss, and keep your family in my prayers. It is at times like these that I remember and share the words of Emilee Dickenson I once read: "This life is not conclusion,
A sequal stands beyond,
Invisible as music,
Yet Positive as sound."
May you find comfort in these words, knowing he is at peace now, and lives on.
Sincerely,
Shari and Steve Antonell
Madeira Beach, FL