Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Sandy Siegel Obituary
October 8, 1941 - October 3, 2014
A math teacher in San Francisco for over 40 years, Sandy touched the lives of thousands of students during his years at Presidio Hill School, Hoover Middle School, and Lowell and Lincoln high schools, and inspired younger generations of educators as a mentor teacher. He spent his sabbatical year teaching at a secondary school in Ghana and formed such strong connections with the community that he returned several times over the years to deliver refurbished computers. Sandy was a practical, visionary man, deeply committed to social justice and world peace. While a student at U.C. Davis he participated in the 1964 Mississippi Freedom Summer Project working in a Freedom School in Clarksdale. Upon his return he took part in the Free Speech Movement. He was an accomplished musician, who played his clarinet and guitar at family celebrations and while working with children in SF elementary schools. He spent his retirement sharing his love of math and science with others as a volunteer docent at the SF Botanical Gardens and the California Academy of Sciences. Caring for his beloved grandchildren was also a big part of Sandy's retirement, and he could often be seen riding his bike around the Inner Sunset with a grandchild in tow. A lifelong Californian, Sandy was born in Los Angeles and died at home in San Francisco from a rare form of lymphoma with Patty, his beloved wife of 49 years, by his side. He is also survived by three children – Toby (Karen Hagberg), Tara (Ivan Chabra) and Kelsey (Camila Bevilaqua) – four grandchildren – Declan, Caio, Oona and Thiago – as well as sisters Roberta Osgood and Irene Siegel, and brother, Lenny Siegel. A celebration of Sandy's life will take place Saturday, Nov. 1. Donations in Sandy's memory can be made to the Algebra Project, an organization that blends his passions for math and civil rights. Address: 99 Bishop Allen Drive, Cambridge, MA 02139. Tel. (617) 491-0200.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Sandy Siegel
Martha Adriasola
November 15, 2014
My condolences to Sandy's family. I remember him as a caring educator when he was head teacher at Marshall/Buena Vista Children's Center in the late 1970's. He will be missed. May he be at peace!
November 6, 2014
From Freedom Summer and the Free Speech movement to the Algebra Project is an arc of honor and accomplishment. Patty, Toby, Tara, and Kelsey, we join your sorrow losing such a mensch. ~Giovanna and Jack
Marty Williams
November 4, 2014
Sandy made so many contributions to the children of San Francisco. I was privileged to know him from early days at Buena Vista Pre-school and to work with him in SFUSD. Patty, you and family are in my thoughts. Marty Williams
November 1, 2014
We lost a good man. He can't be replaced. Love, Arthur & Cathy
Mark and Nancy send their love.
Mark and Nancy Weiss
October 30, 2014
Fly away
Kind and gentle brother
Sixty years of devotion to one another
I will carry your spirit
Until my time comes
Never in all our time
Was there ever a doubt
Of our love and encouragement
For one another
My tears have finally come
Celebration, and this part of me
That will always be your brother
Mark
Susan Andrews
October 28, 2014
As the former director of Presidio School, I heard much of Sandy, and I was pleased to be able to chat with him at our last Reunion. While I was director of the Edible Schoolyard, I had the opportunity to work with Kelsey who carried on the family tradition with aplomb. Thanks to Sandy's family for sharing him...he was a very special person and an accomplished educator.
Christopher Palm
October 28, 2014
Sad to lose Sandy. I taught at Hoover during the Siegel Years. He was always smart, funny and kind.
Mary Hurlbert & Dan Lee
October 28, 2014
Dear Patty,
We are so sorry for your loss. We loved reading Sandy's memoir about your round-the-world travels when you were so young. What a gift he gave everyone by writing it. We wish you all much peace.
Deborah Lopez
October 27, 2014
Sandy was an awesome father, husband and friend. It was really great to learn some new wonderful things about him that I didn't know, so thanks for sharing all of that. He is missed.
Barbara Honig
October 27, 2014
Gary and I are so sorry to hear about Sandy's passing. His parents were inspirations to all us activists in Culver City and Sandy clearly left his mark on many former students and his family. Sandy Siegel, presente!
Jack Hinojosa
October 27, 2014
Dear Patty, my deepest condolences and blessings for you and your entire family.
October 27, 2014
A wonderful, caring, loving man, what a treat to have met you. My dear amiga Patty, I love you and I wish I could be there for the celebration of Sandy's life, my spirit will be with you.
Lourdes
Duygu Chabra
October 27, 2014
It was honor Meet him.I am sorry your Lost. I pray for his family .
October 26, 2014
You helped me when I was a student-teacher at ALHS. Thank you and bless your family.
October 26, 2014
Thank you for sharing Sandy's tribute for his family in Chico. Really like the photo you chose as well as the content of the life of just a remarkable man. Bless his heart. Janie and Bob
Phyllis Fletcher
October 26, 2014
Thank you for sharing the history of this great man. I really appreciate Jeff's comment. Through his memory we see not only what a kind and aware person Mr. S. was, but also what a difference we can each make.
Bob Moses
October 26, 2014
To Sandy's family, I'm sorry to hear of Sandy's passing. I remember when we first began training teachers in Oakland and Sandy joined us from SF along with Marion Curell. Sandy was attracted to the concept of representing the subtraction sign for integer subtraction as "c/t" , compared to. I visited his classroom which was alive with student designed and constructed mobiles illustrating various geometrical relations suspended over their heads. Perhaps the Algebra Project can work with the family to see how resources contributed in Sandy's name can best honor his life. Respectfully, Bob Moses
Jeff
October 23, 2014
Siegel family, I'm sorry to hear about your family's loss. Mr Siegel was my 8th grade homeroom teacher at Hoover Middle school in 1987. He was a really nice man. He made us feel safe when we were in a very vulnerable stage in our lives.
Showing 1 - 18 of 18 results
Make a Donation
in Sandy Siegel's name
Memorial Events
for Sandy Siegel
How to support Sandy's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Sandy Siegel's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
