Robert "Bogie" Grant Sandberg

Robert Grant Sandberg, son of Louise Anderson and Matthew Edward Sandberg, passed away at the age of 91.  He enjoyed good health for the majority of his life. Robert was born in Salt Lake City, Utah during the Great Depression. His mother died weeks after his birth. He was raised by his maternal grandparents in the small town of Grantsville, Utah.

Robert was blessed to be surrounded by many relatives as he grew up. Their companionship, loyalty and friendship helped fill the void of a traditional family life.  His Aunt Helen was especially kind and loving to Robert. She bought him his first bicycle – something that Robert never forgot. Robert had a very special relationship with his cousin, Doug Anderson, who lived next door. They became lifelong friends and remained close even after they both moved away from Grantsville and established their own lives.  They vacationed and spent time together for many years and especially enjoyed trips to Lake Powell with their families. Together, with their combined 10 children, they made many wonderful memories camping on beautiful sandy beaches and skiing on the glassy water at Lake Powell.  In the last hours of Robert’s life, Doug was there by Robert’s side to bid Bogie (as he was affectionately known by his friends and family) - a last farewell.

Robert remained close to his older brother, Don Ed, who was raised by their paternal grandparents, and all of his cousins in Grantsville.  With so many dear friends and family in Grantsville, Robert returned often.  Many cherished first memories of Robert’s children were of visiting Grantsville.  Robert’s sons learned to shoot guns and enjoy the outdoors from Robert’s brother, Don Ed.

In high school, Robert participated in numerous sports. He was a natural athlete.  He was a letterman and served as the secretary of the letterman club. He played on both the basketball and football teams.  His basketball jersey was number 11.  Coincidently, more than 70 years later Robert’s granddaughter Katelyn Louise Smith “Katie,” who was also very athletic and loved sports, was assigned the same number 11 for her soccer jersey.

After graduating from High School, Robert joined the United States Navy.  He spent much of his deployment in Guam and Korea during the Korean War. After he was honorably discharged from the Navy, Robert returned to Utah.  It was while Robert was back in his beloved hometown, that he was set up on a blind date with Joane Sorensen, by Joane’s twin sister Joyce.  Joane was a red-headed beauty who captured Robert’s heart from the start.  It was said that the minute he met “that red head” - that was it – Robert knew she was the one!  Robert’s life would never be the same. Robert and Joane were married in the Salt Lake Temple on December 19^th, 1958.  Joane convinced Robert to take additional yearly courses and earn his certifications to become a master electrician.  Robert was employed at Eimco and Kennecott Copper until his retirement at the age of 70.

Robert and Joane raised their 5 children in North Salt Lake, Utah. They built their home nestled next to the mountains and lived there together for 58 years - until the day Robert died.  His wish was to never leave that home. Other than a one-day stint in the hospital, Robert was blessed with his wish.

Robert was a handsome man, known for his beautiful blue eyes. He was mechanically inclined and was an accomplished electrician. He was often called into Kennecott afterhours to trouble-shoot electrical problems that others couldn’t fix. Robert loved animals, especially dogs, and they loved and were drawn to him. Robert enjoyed the simple things in life – he didn’t need or want a lot of possessions or material things.

Survived by his wife, Joane and five children: Louise Sandberg, North Salt Lake, Nannette (James) Smith Centerville, Raymond (Jill) Sandberg Centerville, David (Dawn) Sandberg Centerville, Craig (Penny) Sandberg Salt Lake City.  Robert has nine grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Robert was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Katelyn Louise Smith, his brother Don Ed Sandberg, and his half-siblings Ronald Sandberg and Ranae Sandberg.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 11, 2022, in the Orchard 5th Ward Chapel, 3599 S. Orchard Drive, Bountiful, Utah.  Prior to the funeral, a viewing will be held that morning from 9:45-10:45 a.m.  Interment will be at 2:00 p.m. at the Grantsville City Cemetery, 370 West Main Street, Grantsville, Utah, with full Military Honors.

Special thanks to the doctors and nurses at Lakeview Hospital for their kindness and excellent care.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary & Crematory Facebook page and on this obituary page.  The live stream will begin about 10-15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below.