Robert Sandquist

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

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