Robert S. Sande, 88, Dickinson died Saturday, November 8, 2008 at his home. Bob’s wishes were to have his body donated for anatomical studies at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. With no funeral service held, there will be an informal gathering of family and friends for a time of visiting and sharing memories at 6 p.m., Friday, November 14, 2008 at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson.
Robert Stewert Sande was born April 15, 1920 in Thief River Falls, Minn., the son of Ole and Sena (Schmok) Sande. He was raised and educated in St. Paul, Minn. having graduated from Marshall High School. He went on to attend the University of Minnesota.
Robert was in Grand Forks selling magazine subscriptions, one being to a young college student; which led to asking her out on a date. That evening they went on their date and after bringing her back to the dorm after closing time and not being able to get in, they decided the only other thing to do was to get married. The next day, November 8, 1940 Robert married Geraldine Stearns in Crookston, Minn. They moved to Minot in 1940, to Minneapolis, Minn. in 1941, and back to Minot in 1949. Spending a short time in Williston, they moved to Sun Valley, Idaho in 1951 where they owned and operated the El Rancho Thunder Bird Hotel and Café. The Sande’s moved to Spokane, Wash. in 1952 where he worked as a salesmen until 1961 when they moved back to Minot and then to Dickinson in 1962 where they have resided since. While in Dickinson Robert established the Sande Music Company and Pied Piper Arcades along with being a coin machine operator.
Bob belonged to the Elks, the Eagles, Masonic Sunshine Lodge in Minneapolis, El Zagel Shrine, founder and first president of the North Dakota Coin Operators Assoc., and also the North Dakota Tournament Assoc. He loved children and spending time with his family.
Bob is survived by his wife of 68 years, Geraldine; their two sons, Philip J. (Paulette) Sande, Dickinson, and Frederick R. Sande, St. Paul. Minn.; seven grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Ruth Shird, Austin, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister and two brothers-in-law, Donna and Hal Dahlgren, and Owen Shird.
