Robert E. Sands
(August 8, 1936 – April 8, 2024)
Robert Eugene Sands, 87, passed away peacefully in his home in Shelbyville, IL at 2:56 p.m. on Monday, April 8, 2024, with his loving wife, Shari, by his side.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 13, 2024, with Rev. Mark Sanders officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 -11:00 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home. The burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville, IL, with military rites by the Shelby County Honor Guard. Memorials may be given to Shelby Christian Church.
Robert (Bob to all who knew him) was born on August 8, 1936, in Westervelt, IL to Ross and Flora (Sayers) Sands. Bob attended the University of Illinois to pursue an engineering degree, but his studies were interrupted when he was drafted into the Army and served two years in Germany. Afterwards, he traveled to Japan and Australia before returning home and completing his Bachelor of Science in Engineering and graduating from Millikin University.
Bob lived his entire life in Shelbyville, where he and Shari raised their three boys Mike, Martin, and John. For 33 years he commuted to and from Mueller Company in Decatur, IL, where he worked as an Industrial Engineer, designing and patenting equipment for pipefitting, such as his Back-Flow Preventer valve.
Bob and Shari raised their children on camping, scouting, fishing, basketball, baseball, and football. He was active with the local Boy Scouts of America (Bob achieved Eagle status as a boy) and was a beloved coach and helper for Little League Baseball in Shelbyville.
A very involved father, Bob taught his sons the value of hard work, and the family ran a Daily Union paper route for years. He and Shari faithfully attended every school activity, and were proudly involved in their sons’ lives, from childhood to college to adulthood and grandchildren.
Bob and Shari enjoyed many family vacations as their boys grew and took many “scenic routes” so that mom could enjoy the vistas and landscapes along the way. After retiring, Bob and Shari traveled abroad and stateside, where they put many miles on their truck and camper, sharing their love for the road and unknown destinations, meeting new people, and making friends as they traveled. Bob loved golfing, camping, traveling, and taking photographs. He followed sports throughout his life, none more than Illini basketball and football. Bob and Shari were active members of Shelby Christian Church, where Bob served as an elder and they both enjoyed many life-long friendships.
Bob was foremost a provider, a father who was loyal and loving to his family. He was gentle and warm, with a nice ole grumpy sense of humor. He was a kind man, a pure soul who will be profoundly missed by those who knew and loved him. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Ross and Flora, and his brother, Bill Sands. Bob is survived by his wife, Shari, sons and daughters, Mike and Vicki, Martin, John and Dawn, and grandchildren, Mike and Molly Blaha, Jake Call, Levi Call and Rowan Sands.