Joseph (Joe) R. Sandaal left this life to be with our Lord on 30 November 2010 after a valiant battle with cancer. The eldest of five children, Joe was born at home in Jersey City, New Jersey, on 25 February 1930 to Joseph L. and Anna J. Sandaal. Joe had many colorful stories about his childhood in Jersey City during the Great Depression that his children and grandchildren never tired of hearing. At 17, Joe enlisted in the United States Army after reinterpreting his year of birth. He served honorably in World War II in the Philippines and then in occupied Japan. Following his discharge from the Army, he returned to Jersey City and finished high school. Having developed a taste for adventure, Joe reenlisted and ultimately was selected to attend the United States Air Force Officer Candidate School. The first week in he was hospitalized with pneumonia and was considering washing out. He always remembered the military physician who encouraged him to see it through. A hallmark of Joe's life was his dedication and service. Second Lieutenant Sandaal reported for duty to North Bend Radar Station near Coos Bay, Oregon. Shortly thereafter he met and courted a vivacious young social worker from Silverton, Carol Brandt. They were married on 05 November, 1960 at St. Paul's Parish in Silverton, Oregon. Joe continued his Air Force career attending college at University of North Dakota, earning his B. S. in Mechanical Engineering. He completed his Air Force career at Los Angeles Air Force Base working in Space and Missile Command. Following his retirement from the Air Force, the Sandaal family returned to Silverton and started construction on their home at Reality Ridge Ranch. Joe worked for the Air Pollution Authority and then as the physical plant director for the Oregon State Capitol prior to concluding his working years as Facilities Director for Oregon Graduate Center. During these years the Sandaals welcomed their three children, Christine, Stephen and Daniel. The addition of their daughter Silvia, an exchange student from Uruguay, made their family complete. In addition to his family and work, Joe devoted 27 years as treasurer to the Knights of Columbus, Council #5416. Joe willingly and cheerfully served God wherever his talents were needed, whether on the parish council, leading religious education classes, or cooking turkeys for the parish dinners. Always a keen and inquiring mind, Joe enjoyed retirement by returning to school, both as a student at Chemeketa and a volunteer at Robert Frost School. Film noir and Spanish were his particular favorites. Ever the optimist, Joe also enjoyed games of chance and particularly studying the ponies. Joe and Carol continued their tradition of service by many times "deploying" to Las Vegas in support of their children following in Joe's service in the United States Air Force. Joe found great pleasure in enjoying his grandchildren, and they in turn, spending time with their Pop Pop. Joe was preceded in death by his son, Stephen; parents, Joseph and Anna; brothers, Robert and Richard, and several nephews and nieces. He is survived by his wife of fifty years, Carol; his children, Dan and Erin Sandaal of Portland and Chris and Drew Clarke of Salem; and Silvia and Augustin Pazos of Punta Del Este, Uruguay; grandchildren, Zach and Greg Jones and Paige, Will, Quinn and Wyatt Clarke; sister, Eileen Spitale of Brick, New Jersey; brother, Don (Anne) Sandaal of Niceville, Fla.; sisters-in-law, Patricia Brandt and Mary Rose Brandt of Silverton, Katherine Huber of Seattle; brother-in-law, John Brandt of Portland, and many beloved nieces and nephews who often fondly recall "how hard Uncle Joe works". Joe's family remembers with gratitude the kindness and skill of Dr. Bud Pierce, the staff at Hematology/Oncology of Salem, and the physicians and staff at Silverton Hospital. Viewing will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, December 3, 2010 at Unger Funeral Chapel, Silverton, Oregon. A Rosary and Mass in celebration of Joe's life will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, December 4, 2010 at St. Paul's Catholic Church, Silverton, Oregon. Remembrances may be made to St. Paul's Cemetery Trust Fund, c/o 1410 Pine Street, Silverton, Oregon. Arrangements by Unger Funeral Chapel.

Published in StatesmanJournal on December 2, 2010