Chief Sandau Funeral

Robert Gary Sandau passed away on July 21st, 2018 in Greeley.

Gary was born on March 29, 1949 to Robert and Doris (Ruth) Sandau in Long Beach, CA. His family moved to LaSalle in 1951. He grew up in LaSalle and graduated from Valley High School in 1967. Gary attended UNC and graduated from AIMS Community College with a degree in business in 1970. Gary married Joyce Hergert in 1969 in Greeley and the couple have been part of the LaSalle community since their marriage.

Gary’s lifelong profession was in the fire service, first as a volunteer then as the first employed Fire Marshall for the LaSalle Fire Protection District. After retiring from his position in LaSalle, he took a position with the Platteville/Gilcrest Fire Protection District, eventually moving into the Fire Chief position until his retirement in 2013.

Gary served as a high school wrestling official for over 30 years and continued volunteering as an administrator/matt foreman for the Colorado High School State Wrestling Championships. In 2011, he was inducted into the Colorado Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Gary was involved in numerous charities over the years. He volunteered for over 19 years for the Greeley Relay for Life. In addition, he volunteered for the Critical Incident Stress Management Team for over 15 years. Gary donated over 21 gallons of blood to the Weld County blood bank.

In his spare time, Gary managed to hop on a motorcycle, with Joyce, and travel across the U.S. They have cycled to 45 of our 50 states and three Canadian provinces. Gary was an extreme stock car fan and an avid NASCAR junkie, traveling to many NASCAR races over the years. He also loved camping, fishing, and four-wheeling with family and friends in the beautiful Colorado Rockies.

Crazy about sports, Gary loved the Denver Broncos, the Colorado Rockies, the Chicago Cubs, the Colorado Eagles, and especially the Eaton Reds. Gary was deeply connected to his agricultural roots and he truly never met a stranger. Most of all, he loved his family.

Gary is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Joyce; his son, Kirk Sandau and wife Tracy, and grandchildren Jakob and Grace; his father, Robert Sandau; his sister, Debra (Craig) Christopher; his brother, Bruce (Trish) Sandau; mother-in-law, Freida Hergert; brother-in-law, Richard (Diane) Hergert; sister-in-law Carol (Cris) Didonato; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Craig; mother, Doris Sandau; and father-in-law, Ray Hergert.

The family received friends from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 29th at the Adamson Chapel. Life Celebration services were held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, July 30 at the Generations Church (formerly Greeley Wesleyan), 3600 W. 22nd Street in Greeley. Interment at Sunset Memorial Gardens. A reception followed at the Gilcrest Fire Department, 14679 WCR 42 in LaSalle.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial gifts to the “American Cancer Society” in care of Adamson, 2000 47th Ave., Greeley, CO 80634. Friends may leave condolences at adamsoncares.com.

The following agencies provided equipment for the procession:

La Salle Fire Protection District
Platteville-Gilcrest Fire Protection District
Southeast Weld Fire Protection District
Evans Fire Protection District
Greeley Firefighters Local 888
Platte Valley Fire Protection District
Loveland Fire Rescue Authority
Eaton Fire Protection District
Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & Control
Fort Lupton Fire Protection District
Windsor Severance Fire Rescue
Greeley Fire Department
Mountain View Fire Rescue
Banner Health North Colorado Medical Center Paramedic Services
Frederick-Firestone Fire Protection District
Greeley Police Department
North Colorado Med Evac