BANGOR – Richard Paul Sandberg, 85, died July 9, 2011, at a Bangor hospital after a brief illness. He was born Jan. 11, 1926, in Worcester, Mass., the son of Gustaf R. and Agnes (O’Laughlin) Sandberg.
Richard graduated from the High School of Commerce, Worcester, Mass., class of 1944. After graduation he served in the U.S. Army, European Theatre. Richard participated in the D-Day invasion, and he was later wounded while in Luxemborg. Richard attended Clark University, Worcester, Mass., and graduated with high honors in 1950. He earned a master’s degree in 1951. Richard moved to Springfield, Mass., where he taught high school, met his wife, Ellen Geagan, and raised their son. After Ellen’s death he remarried, making his home in Bangor with his wife, Patricia. Richard was a substitute teacher in the Bangor schools for many years. Although not a native, he grew to love his adopted home state of Maine. Richard and Pat were happy snowbirds in North Port, Fla., for 10 years. He was an avid swimmer and enjoyed tennis.
Richard was predeceased by his parents; his first wife, Ellen J. Geagan; a brother, Irving Sandberg; and a sister, Christine Gordon. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Geagan Sandberg of Bangor; a son, Richard P. Sandberg Jr. and his wife, Lori, of Oak Harbor, Wash.; grandchildren, Richard P. Sandberg III and his partner, Adam Moss, of Cambridge, England, and Trista J. Taylor and her husband, Greg, of Seattle; stepchildren and their spouses, Colleen and John Robbins of Orono, Jack and Joanne Geagan of Montville, Frank and Beckie Geagan of Pittsfield and Kim and Jeffrey Hodge of Etna; numerous stepgrandchildren and great-stepgrandchildren; a brother-in-law, John Gordon; and nephews, Robert Gordon and John Gordon Jr. of Massachusetts.
A memorial service will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 13, at Sunbury Village Chapel, 922 Ohio St., Bangor. Interment will be at Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery at a later date. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments at Sunbury Village Activity Room after the memorial service. Those who wish to remember Richard in a special way may make gifts to the Salvation Army, 65 South Park St., Bangor, ME 04401. A service of Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor. Condolences to the family may be expressed at
www.BrookingsSmith.com.