Gladstone, MI
Richard Kenneth Sandstrom, 86, passed away in his sleep January 26, 2017 after a brief illness. Known by his friends and family as “Dick,” “Dad,” and “Grandpa”, he will be remembered by all as a loving, steady, hardworking man who loved the railroad, a good project, and finding out how things worked.
Born in Gladstone May 9, 1930 to Sigward and Clara (Duchaine) Sandstrom, Dick graduated from Gladstone High School in 1948 and met the love of his life, Florence Eldridge, that summer at a dance. After graduating from machinist’s school in Minneapolis, he went to work for the Soo Line Railroad in Gladstone. By the time he retired as the Shop Supervisor for E & LS Railroad, he was one of the few machinists in the country who knew how to repair the older steam engines and would frequently be sent out to fix “one of the old timers.”
Dick and Florence married in Minneapolis in 1950 and settled in Gladstone where they built several homes and raised their family. The Sandstrom family culture that Dick passed onto his children and grandchildren centered on knowing how to build things and do it well. From houses to machine components, to model airplanes, he lived by example the value of making things and loved to think about how things could be improved to work better or be more efficient, often over his favorite pie and hot coffee. He always had a legal pad and pencil by his side to record his ideas and inventive drawings.
In 1973 he founded Independent Machine Company and was the creator of the portable “Iron Horse” Wheel Lathe, which trued locomotive wheels.
Dick lovingly cared for Florence until her death from advanced Alzheimer’s in 2010; they had been married for 60 years. He spoke often of looking forward to being with her again. His sons John O. and Keith also precede him in death. He leaves behind children: Geri Rosenlund, Carol (Robert) Cervantes, Kenneth (Christine), and Jeffery (Marie); siblings Robert, Carl, and Judy; 19 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.
His sense of humor, twinkle in his eye, and stalwart presence will be greatly missed.
Rev. Nathan Langager will officiate his grave side service at Fernwood Cemetery on July 3, 2017 with all family and friends invited to celebrate Dick’s life.