Gerald "Gerry" Sand

Gerald (Gerry) Emmett Sand, 81, of Springfield, TN, passed away peacefully Friday, April 17th at TriStar Skyline Medical Center surrounded by his family.

Born on April 4, 1945, in Ottawa, IL, he was the son of Emmett and Inez (Anderson) Sand. He grew up in the small town of Seneca, IL, where he made many lifelong friendships, including his best buddy John (Sandra) Ellis. Gerry graduated from St. Olaf College, where he recently attended his 50th college reunion with his travel buddy, Eric (Diane) Holgerson.

Gerry met his best friend and love, Emily Brown, in Colorado. They married on June 29, 1977, in Springfield, TN, and started married life in South Mountain, PA.

Gerry is survived by his adoring wife of 49 years, daughter, Kristen Sand of Springfield, TN, son, Greg (Jordan) Sand of Clarksville, TN,  his sisters, Mary McCook and Lori (Mike) Wallaert, both of Cherry, IL, sister-in-law, Jan Sand, of Appleton, WI, sister-in-law Judy Jackson of Franklin, TN, as well as many loving nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, David (Dave) Sand, brother-in-law, Robert (Bob) McCook and brother-in-law, Paul Richard Brown.

A proud, decorated U.S. Army Veteran, Gerry enlisted in 1967 and served in Vietnam as an intelligence specialist from 1967 to 1970. Afterwards he worked for the Department of the Army as a civilian in Internal Review & Audit Compliance, retiring in 2005 after 35 years of service as an auditor, most of that time at Fort Campbell. He built many strong friendships during his time at Fort Campbell, friendships that he treasured and continued the rest of his life.

Gerry attended several local churches, serving on the Board of Session at Highland Chapel for several years, and he was a longtime member of Springfield Baptist Sunday School. He faithfully drove his piano-playing wife to local churches over the years and loved to hear her play.

After retirement, Gerry never slowed down and got to do so many things that brought him joy. He became a part-time farmer helping close friends, Anson and Melissa Woodall, manage their strawberry stand each spring and help with tobacco, watermelons, blueberry bushes, and whatever else was needed throughout the year.

Gerry served as the treasurer for the Springfield Kiwanis Club for over 20 years and said he was tricked into the job by his friend Sam (Zena) Smith who asked him to take over while he was on vacation. He always raised his hand to support their community events, everything from the annual pancake breakfast, the golf tournament, picking up trash on the streets adopted by the Club, and sorting toys for kids at Christmas.

Nothing brought Gerry more joy than spending time with his family. He was grateful to share many happy hours on the porch laughing and telling stories with his wife, children, and friends. He was delighted to take many vacations as a family later in life, including a special trip to his grandparents’ homestead in Sand, Norway.

Gerry was known for his gentle kindness, loving loyalty to family and friends, his active spirit, and his wit and humor. He was loved by many and will be missed by all who knew him.

A Celebration of Life memorial service is scheduled for Friday, May 1st at 11:00 a.m. in the Oakhurst Chapel of the Robertson County Funeral Home, followed by a graveside committal service, with Military Honors, at Springfield Memorial Gardens. Members of the Springfield Kiwanis Club will serve as honorary pallbearers. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, April 29th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and on Friday from 10:00 a.m.  until service time.

In lieu of flowers, we kindly ask you to consider donating to The American Heart Association or to PBS/NPR. You can also plant a tree in his memory through the Robertson County Funeral Home website if you so desire.   

Services have been entrusted to Robertson County Funeral Home.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gerald "Gerry" Sand, please visit our floral store.