Robert "Sandy" Sanford

Hastings resident Robert Dale “Sandy” Sanford, 90, passed away Thursday, November 7, 2019, at Perkins Pavilion Good Samaritan Society-Hastings Village, Hastings, NE.

Services are 10 a.m. Monday, November 11, at First United Methodist Church in Hastings with Pastor Greg Lindenberger officiating. Burial will be at Blue Valley, Ayr. Visitation will be 3-5 p.m. Sunday with family present at the funeral home, and one hour prior to service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to First United Methodist Church or Blue Valley Cemetery.

Sandy was born May 27, 1929, in Ayr, NE to Clayton & Virgie (Ekstein) Sanford. He attended Ayr Grade School and graduated from Roseland High School in 1947. Sandy joined the U.S. Navy in 1947 and served in the Pacific on the U.S.S. AJAX, U.S.S. COMSTOCK, and in the Marshall Islands. He sailed to Pearl Harbor, Japan, and China. Sandy’s home port was San Diego, CA. He was discharged in 1950. Sandy married Delores Small on October 12, 1952, in Ayr, NE; she preceded him in death on February 1, 2015.

Sandy worked on the farm with his dad, Nebraska Department of Roads, Navy Ammunition Depot, Dutton-Lainson, and Swift & Company. In 1953, he went to work for Hastings Utilities and retired in 1992. He worked for E-Z Kitchen for 12 years. Sandy was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Hastings and Eagles Aerie #592 since 1956.

Sandy was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Delores Carlene Sanford; infant daughter; grandson, Chad Sanford; son-in-law, Kent Johansen; siblings, Elda Knight, Maurice Sanford, George, Sanford, Merlin Sanford, and Ailene Cozine; and nephew, Rick Sanford.

SURVIVORS:
Son & Daughter-in-law:
Daniel A. & Mary Sanford – Navar, FL
Daughter & Son-in-law:
JaNell & Kenny Struss – Hastings, NE
Grandchildren & Spouse:
Daniel C. Sanford
Tanya Sanford
Trevor Johansen
Brandon Johansen
Kaitlin & Andrew Anderson
Jessica Struss
Great-Grandchildren:
Donavon Sanford
Jeremiah Sanford
Lylli Struss
Claire Struss
And many other family members and friends.