Michael John Sandbach

Michael John Sandbach of Sonoma passed away peacefully on July 16, 2025 with his wife Ingrid and daughters Susan and Shelly by his side.

Mike was born in San Francisco, CA on December 22, 1940 to Alice Jean (née Fisher) and George Edgar Antony Sandbach. With his parents and his two older brothers, Bill and Hank, Mike was raised on a 28-acre parcel of rolling Novato countryside. A homestead that started with kittens soon became a small farm with chickens, cows, sheep, rabbits, and hogs. Mike joined the local 4-H club and each year showed and sold his market hog at the Petaluma County Fair. Farm life was full of lessons, especially the value of hard work. Such industry became a force that propelled Mike throughout his full and successful life.

Mike attended St. Vincent de Paul Grammar School, then Marin Catholic High School. His work ethic and strong athletic ability, evident at an early age, won the young southpaw a spot playing first base for the Wildcats. But it was football that would become his passion. He loved and understood the game so well. He was one tough linebacker and would go on to play that position for the University of San Francisco and a short stint with the Raiders.
The year 1962 was eventful for Mike; he earned his contractor's license, started his own business, Green Oaks Construction Company, and married Nancy Bacon. It was also the year they established themselves at the property they called Star Hill Ranch in Napa, where they soon welcomed their two daughters, Susan and Shelly, who inherited their parents' love of ranch life, family and the northern California landscape.

Mike's business grew over the following years as he went from a partnership, Robero and Sandbach Construction, to his own company, Sandbach Construction, which he ran from 1972 until he retired decades later. The early days saw projects largely in Marin County, and many of his buildings can still be seen along US 101. Projects in Sonoma and Napa counties followed. Mike and his business partners helped put the small town of Yountville on the wine country map with the development and construction of two first-class hotels and a spa built by Sandbach Construction. They named it The Vintage Estate.

Mike's move to a vineyard property in Sonoma in 1984 saw him happy on his tractor as a gentleman farmer. In 1991, Mike married Ingrid Wollmar, and through farming and a growing interest in playing golf, Mike and Ingrid developed a life full of rich friendships and travel. Mike maintained his passion for hunting and fishing which began with high school friends in Marin and led to frequent sporting adventures at Lake Berryessa, Nevada, Montana, Utah, and Mexico.

Mike will be remembered as a tough businessman with a reputation for getting things done. He had a wicked sense of humor and told a good story. And If you were lucky enough to become Mike's friend, through business or shenanigans, you were his friend for life. He had many. Above all, Mike was a man of integrity who took immense pride in his family.

Mike will be dearly missed. He is survived by his wife Ingrid Sandbach; his daughters Susan (Todd) Arnold and Shelly (Andrew) Avellar; grandchildren Jake (Michelle) Arnold, Jordan (Sam) Albertson, Hanna Arnold, Natalie Avellar and Grace Avellar; stepdaughter Andrea Burfield and her children Jack, Brad and Scott Burfield; and a great grandson, Luke Arnold. He also leaves behind his brother Henry Sandbach and his wife Cathie of Sonoma; his nephew Matthew; and his nieces Lizanne, Alison, Alyce, Anne and Janet. Mike was predeceased by his brother William and niece Robin.

Arrangements are in the care of Duggan's Mission Chapel in Sonoma. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Francis Solano Church, 469 3rd St W., Sonoma on Friday, August 1 at 1:00 p.m.

Memorial Contributions in his memory may be made to Sonoma Valley Hospital, 347 Andrieux Street, Sonoma, CA 95476, Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516 or Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306