Roll Call Tribute

Eric William Sandt
August 17, 1958 - June 7, 2022

Eric William Sandt, swimmer, avid racquetball player, book collector, well-missed Duddley’s Draw patron, engineer, teacher, coffee connoisseur, gourmet chef, dog lover, too-infrequent diver, and ultimate family man, died on June 7, 2022 at the age of 63, at the University of Michigan Hospital with family by his side. His battle with prostate cancer in 2012 and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma since early 2021 exemplified courage, persistence, patience, and hope to all around him. To the end, he only wanted his family to be safe and sound. He fought his final battle with pain and emerged victorious in the end.

Eric William Sandt was born August 17, 1958 in Wilmington, Delaware and grew up in Midland, Michigan. He is preceded in death by his parents Bernd and Nancy Sandt. He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Dawn; daughter, Abigail; brother, Paul (Sue) Sandt; and sister, Leslie (Joseph) Simpkins as well as many other family and friends. He also leaves behind two fetching golden retrievers, Hazel and Rusty.

Eric was a learned man. He held four degrees: PhD in Civil Engineering (Texas A&M University), MS in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (University of Illinois), MS in Ocean Engineering (Texas A&M University), and BS in Ocean Engineering (Texas A&M University). He worked in the private sector, in academia, and at the U.S. Department of Defense. Once he retired, his favorite pursuit was spending time with his family, cooking, reading, and drinking coffee.

Eric was loved by his family, and he loved his family immensely. He enjoyed reminiscing and laughed wholeheartedly. He loved to sit around the dinner table telling the same family-centered stories over and over again. Eric would re-tell the story of how, “my mother had to hold me back after Paul stuck a fork in me.” Or, “Leslie and I drove in a snow storm on our way to Texas from Michigan....”

Eric met his wife, Dawn, at the racquetball courts at Texas A&M University. He was the best racquetball player at TAMU at the time. Everyone wanted to beat him, and he always played court 1. He once told Dawn that he could cook, at which point she retorted, “Oh, I bet you can’t.” It was a calculated challenge that led to their first date. And, the rest is history. They had a good life together. No, they had a great life together. They were never perfect people, but they were certainly perfect for one another.

Eric’s greatest endeavor was being Abigail’s father. He loved his daughter very much, and he was so proud of her. Eric’s dedication as a family man was proved over and over again when re-enacting Little Bunny Foo Foo and Disney movies every night with Abigail. Giggles, singing, and reading were often heard right before bed. As Abigail grew up, his pride of being Abigail’s dad only increased. Eric wanted Abigail to enjoy life, and he did what he could to make that happen. His last words of wisdom to Abigail were “to find your passion and go for it! Don’t let fear stop you.”

Eric was a faithful, kind, generous, loving man. He shared his life with us and we are the better for it. He challenged us to be better people: more patient, more understanding, more merciful, and more grateful. He taught us to turn the other cheek. He taught us to forgive and forget.

Eric, you will be remembered and cherished. Your pain is gone, and you may finally be at peace. Godspeed, my love.

And, if I may, as Eric’s wife, I would like to take one final liberty. Eric would have wanted me to quote Douglas Adams at this point, “So long, and thanks for all the fish.”

Family and friends may join Eric's family in a Celebration of Life on Saturday, June 25, 2022, at 11:00 am, at Newcomer Funeral Home, 4150 West Laskey Road, Toledo, Ohio 43623.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ele’s Place in Eric’s memory.