Robert Alonzo Sandstrom

1929 - 2023

Robert Alonzo Sanderson

1929 ~ 2023

Orem, UT-It is with great sadness and love in our hearts, that we announce the passing of our beloved father, Robert Alonzo Sandstrom on March 23, 2023. At 93 years of age, Dad passed away peacefully at his home in Orem, Utah where he had lived for 67 years. We anticipate that he was welcomed to his heavenly home by his devoted and loving wife, Donna Mae Christensen Sandstrom, his parents, Carl and Ella Sandstrom, and his older brother, Doug Sandstrom.

Robert will forever be honored and remembered by his five children, Lynn Sandstrom, Emily (Steve) Dewey of Woodland Hills Utah, Paul (Heather) Sandstrom of Mesa Arizona, currently serving as Mission President and Companion in the Great Colorado Fort Collins Mission, Marie (Tim) Roberts, of Henderson Nevada, and Joy (John) Newkirk of East Layton Utah. Bob and Donna are blessed with 20 amazing grandchildren and 45 great-grandchildren. Bricklyn Dewey, Dylan Dewey (Becca), Collyn Kirry (Alex), Jesse Stubbs (Trevor), Steven "Gus" Dewey (Sophie), Erica Soelberg (Alan), Ryan Sandstrom (Karen), Alexis Gremillion (BJ), Walker Sandstrom (Lauren), Ashlyn Fenn (Brady), Austin Roberts (Sarah), Landon Robert (Megan), Tate Roberts, Carson Roberts, Curtis Newkirk (Shaley), Jacob Newkirk (Jenn), Kathrine Newkirk, Joseph Newkirk (Kate), Amelia Newkirk, Michael Newkirk. He is also survived by his dear sister, Colleen Milliman.

Robert was born on November 23, 1929, in Eureka, Utah as the youngest of three children where his father worked as a miner. Robert enjoyed a delightful childhood growing up among family and friends in the quaint town of Eureka, Utah. He graduated from Tintic High School in 1948. After high school he moved to the big city, Orem, Utah where he lived and worked at Berg mortuary. He met his wife Donna, at Church. Donna was in charge of the ward play and asked him to be part of it. That started a friendship and romance. They were married in the Manti, Utah temple on December 9, 1949. He and Donna lived for a short time in Des Moines, Iowa where their daughter Lynn was born. They later returned to Utah where they built a beautiful red brick house and welcomed 4 more children. Bob lived there for 67 years until his passing.

Dad could do anything. He was a hard worker. He had a Service Master franchise for many years until he decided to return to school. He soon graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Elementary Education. While attending BYU, he worked at Clark's Men's Store in downtown Provo. He taught 6th grade for 26 years and he loved his students. Robert also enjoyed working part time at Wolfe's sporting goods for many years. He had the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors for Alpine Credit Union for decades where he enjoyed the association and friendship of many wonderful people who became lifelong friends. Dad also took pride in his yard. He loved his green grass, beautiful flowers, and the tree house he built with his children.

Dad was a wonderful father and friend. He was a very kind and generous man. He would literally give people the shirt off his back. He knew everyone by name and would take time to converse with all who came into his life. We will never know all who have been blessed by his life of service.

He had an amazing ability with color coordination. He loved to decorate; helping people with their homes to choose carpet, drapes, wall coverings and paints. He also enjoyed helping friends and family decorate for wedding receptions. He was probably the sharpest dresser of his time and often wore matching ties, pocket squares, and crazy socks.

Robert and Donna had the blessing of serving together in the Mt. Timpanogos, Utah Temple during the open house and later as Ordinance Workers. Dad loved the temple. With Donna at his side, he was called to serve as a Young Single Adult Bishop at BYU at the age 70, where they served for 4 years. After being released, he was called to serve Executive Secretary in a BYU Young Single Adult stake. Up to his passing, many of his former students, ward members and young single adults were still a major part of his life. They often stopped by to visit, brought their children to meet him, and asked him for advice and counsel.

With Robert's passing, there is a major void that will never be filled. He was a kind and generous man. He would literally give people the shirt off his back. He knew everyone by name and would take time to converse with all who came into his life. We will never know all who have been blessed by his life of service, but we know there are many. He has lived a full life of love and service and was a wonderful father, grandfather, and friend. We will miss his hugs, his laugh, his phone calls, his birthday cards, his waves from the front porch, his pink mints shared from his pocket, his cologne, his teary farewells, his ice cream runs, and his affectionate "I love you so's." We love you forever, Dad.

We invite all who would like to celebrate the fabulous life of our amazing father, Robert A (Bob) Sandstrom this Thursday & Friday, March 30-31, 2023. There will be a viewing at Walker Sanderson Funeral Home located at 646 E 800 N Orem, Utah on Thursday, March 30, 2023, from 6:00-8:00pm. A viewing will be held prior to his service on Friday, March 31, 2023, from 9:30-10:30am with his service at 11:00am at the church building located at 400 E 400 N Orem, Utah. Interment will be at the Orem City Cemetery.

Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.walkersanderson.com