Richard Jay Sandau was born at 4:00 in the morning of July 26, 1968 at 6 lbs 12 oz to Richard Dee and Rosemary Sandau. He was the last of four children born to Dee and Rosemary, making the count two girls and two boys. He grew up in a curb and gutter neighborhood at the address of 329 South Cleveland in the quiet town of Blackfoot, Idaho. Summers were spent riding up and down the sidewalks on his tricycle or bike and playing with the neighborhood friends. He attended grade school at Stoddard Elementary and then a succession of schools in the Blackfoot area until he graduated from Blackfoot High in the spring of 1986. He graduated with honors in music, an achievement earned through years of playing trombone in various bands and ensembles. Richard also loved to sing. He possessing a beautiful tenor voice which he used in many choirs through his lifetime. After graduation, he attended a year of schooling at Rick’s College in Rexburg Idaho where he majored in music before being called to serve for two years as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Taipei Taiwan.
Upon returning from his mission, he again attended Rick’s College. While attending Rick’s College, Richard met a beautiful young woman named Jenny Bird who played the French Horn. They were married in the Idaho Falls Temple on April 24, 1992. They started their marriage in Logan, Utah while Richard attended Utah State University. There their first two children were born in Logan. Erica was born one year after they were married in April of 1993. Austin was born 3 years later in November of 1996. In 1998 Richard graduated from Utah State with a bachelors degree in environmental engineering. The family moved to Ogden, Utah where Richard found a job at Weber State University. He really loved the environment and people at the University and has made many friends there.
Two years after moving to Ogden Quin was born in October of 2000. Richard’s years in Ogden have been spent providing for his family and faithfully serving in the Church. He served as bishop for 7 ½ years after serving as a counselor in the bishopric for 2 ½ years. Following 3 years on the High Counsel he was called to be the first counselor in the Mt. Lewis Stake Presidency. In 2012 Richard and Jenny had impressions that their family wasn’t complete and not being able to have more children decided to become foster parents. In March of 2012 Kerstan joined their family. A short 4 months later in July of 2012 Devin and Kiya were welcomed. On February 2013 Devin, Kiya, and Kerstan were sealed to them in the Bountiful, Utah temple. Emily joined as a newborn in December of 2012 and was sealed to them in July of 2013 in the Idaho Falls, Idaho Temple. Thirteen very busy months later Aliyah joined as newborn in February of 2014 and was sealed to them in the Ogden, Utah temple in November of 2014. In less than 18 months their family grew from 3 kids to 8 and they felt the guidance of their Father in Heaven as they completed their family.
The last three years have been filled with family vacations, missions, and church service. Richard has faithfully served with many from the Mt. Lewis Stake and has loved them all. He never had an unkind thing to say about anyone and could always find the good in people. His greatest quality which has been expressed to his wife many times since his brief hospital stay leading to his passing on May 27, 2017 has been how his calming influence could always be felt when he was in the room. Richard will be sorely missed by his friends and family. Richard is survived by his loving wife Jenny and their children Erica & Ryan Chalk , Elder Austin Jay Sandau currently serving a mission in Alaska, Quin, Devin, Kiya, Kerstan, Emily & Aliyah a granddaughter Brooklyn, His mother Rosemary Sandau of Blackfoot, brother Stephen & Laurie of Vernal Utah, sisters Kathy & Robert Benhart of Carter Montana, Denise & Kenneth Jensen of Blackfoot; in laws Orval & Elaine Benson, Lewis & Kathleen Bird, Lewis & Ginger Bird, Mark & Barbara Bird, Greg & Lindsey Bird, Randy & Miranda Bird, Julie & Charlie Prudent, Jeff & Stephanie Bird and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his father Richard Dee Sandau and Grandparents Richard & Evelyn Sandau Hopkins & Stephen & Afton Gheen and a sister in law Marnie Baird Sandau.
Wednesday, 5/31/2017 from 6 - 8 PM a viewing will be held at the LDS Stake Center located on 1150 N Monroe Ogden Utah.
Thursday, 6/1/2017 from 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM a viewing will be held. Funeral Services will begin at 11 AM. Services will be held at the LDS Stake Center located on 1150 N Monroe Ogden Utah.