Gary Bruce Sandquist, 69, of Johnston, passed away at his home on Saturday, June 13, 2009, after a brave battle with cancer. A visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16, at Westover Funeral Home in Urbandale, 6337 Hickman Road. The funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 17, at First Assembly of God Church in Des Moines, 2725 Merle Hay Road. Both events are open to the public.
Gary was born on January 13, 1940 to Philip Sr. and Yolanda (Beulah Fontana) Sandquist. He graduated from Des Moines East High School in 1957 and Iowa State University in Ames in 1961 with a B.S. in agronomy and minors in mathematics and chemistry. After graduation Gary worked in St. Louis for Monsanto Chemical Corporation in sales and research and development. In 1965 he began employment with a highway construction company, Des Moines-based United Contractors, Inc. under Carl (Kelly) Jensen, first as a laborer and later as an estimator and vice president. Upon Kelly's retirement in 1988, Gary became president of the company and, two years later, oversaw the company's transformation into an employee-owned entity. Gary stepped aside from his day-to-day role with the company in 2007 and became chairman, a position he held until his death.
Those who knew Gary through business appreciated his honesty, humility, integrity, humor, dedication, loyalty, generosity and astuteness. His foremost concerns were always the well-being of United Contractors' employees and the health of the highway construction industry. To that end, in 2007 Gary was inducted into the Associated General Contractors of Iowa Hall of Fame.
Gary's interests included farming; riding his Allis-Chalmers tractor; spending time with his siblings, wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; watching football games; walking his loyal dogs (Tasha, Poscha and Sammie); riding his motorcycle; attending the Iowa State Fair; listening to music; traveling around the world; and meeting friends (new or old) and listening to their stories. His joy of life and love for people were ever-evident to anyone with whom he crossed paths.
Gary's passion for United Contractors and the industry was eclipsed only by his love for God and family. His family knew Gary as a caring, Christ-centered, compassionate and -- above all -- loving son, brother, husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather and great-grandfather. Gary was married to Joann (Van Camp) Sandquist for 39 wonderful years, and together they had five children. His love for his wife Joann was always paramount. He adored and worshiped her, and respected their union through all of these years. Joann's incredible strength was so important, especially during the last few months of Gary's illness.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Philip Sr. and Yolanda (Beulah Fontana) Sandquist of Des Moines; brother, David Sandquist of Sierra Vista, AZ; and first wife, Marsha (Jensen) Sandquist of Des Moines. He is survived by his wife Joann (Van Camp) Sandquist of Johnston; brothers, Phillip Jr. (Colleen) Sandquist of Altoona; Dean (Nancy) Sandquist of Carmel, IN; sisters, Jean (Joseph) Passantino of Overland Park, KS; Marie (Earl) Hill of Des Moines; children, Susan (James) Salsman of St. Charles; Tami Sandquist of Johnston; Beth (Eric) Stroud of Urbandale; David (Michelle) Sandquist of Earlham; and Stephen (Marina) Sandquist of Johnston; and several grandchildren; and great-grandchildren. He is missed and loved by his many friends and family, as he touched their lives in so many big and small ways.
Special thanks to Dr. Thomas Buroker of John Stoddard Cancer Center of Des Moines, his nurse Pat and staff; the nurses at Iowa Health Home Care of Des Moines; and Pastor Greg Youmans of First Assembly of God Church for their wonderful help and counsel during Gary's illness. Memorial contributions may be directed to First Assembly of God Church in Des Moines, the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, or the Associated General Contractors of Iowa Foundation.
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Jeannine Sue Booton (Hall)
Gary Bruce Sandquist, 69, of Johnston, passed away at his home on Saturday, June 13, 2009, after a brave battle with cancer. A visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16, at Westover Funeral Home in Urbandale, 6337 Hickman Road. The funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 17, at First Assembly of God Church in Des Moines, 2725 Merle Hay Road. Both events are open to the public.Gary was born on January 13, 1940 to Philip Sr. and Yolanda (Beulah Fontana) Sandquist. He graduated from Des Moines East High School in 1957 and Iowa State University in Ames in 1961 with a B.S. in agronomy and minors in mathematics and chemistry. After graduation Gary worked in St. Louis for Monsanto Chemical Corporation in sales and research and development. In 1965 he began employment with a highway construction company, Des Moines-based United Contractors, Inc. under Carl (Kelly) Jensen, first as a laborer and later as an estimator and vice president. Upon Kelly's retirement in 1988, Gary became president of the company and, two years later, oversaw the company's transformation into an employee-owned entity. Gary stepped aside from his day-to-day role with the company in 2007 and became chairman, a position he held until his death.
Those who knew Gary through business appreciated his honesty, humility, integrity, humor, dedication, loyalty, generosity and astuteness. His foremost concerns were always the well-being of United Contractors' employees and the health of the highway construction industry. To that end, in 2007 Gary was inducted into the Associated General Contractors of Iowa Hall of Fame.
Gary's interests included farming; riding his Allis-Chalmers tractor; spending time with his siblings, wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; watching football games; walking his loyal dogs (Tasha, Poscha and Sammie); riding his motorcycle; attending the Iowa State Fair; listening to music; traveling around the world; and meeting friends (new or old) and listening to their stories. His joy of life and love for people were ever-evident to anyone with whom he crossed paths.
Gary's passion for United Contractors and the industry was eclipsed only by his love for God and family. His family knew Gary as a caring, Christ-centered, compassionate and -- above all -- loving son, brother, husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather and great-grandfather. Gary was married to Joann (Van Camp) Sandquist for 39 wonderful years, and together they had five children. His love for his wife Joann was always paramount. He adored and worshiped her, and respected their union through all of these years. Joann's incredible strength was so important, especially during the last few months of Gary's illness.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Philip Sr. and Yolanda (Beulah Fontana) Sandquist of Des Moines; brother, David Sandquist of Sierra Vista, AZ; and first wife, Marsha (Jensen) Sandquist of Des Moines. He is survived by his wife Joann (Van Camp) Sandquist of Johnston; brothers, Phillip Jr. (Colleen) Sandquist of Altoona; Dean (Nancy) Sandquist of Carmel, IN; sisters, Jean (Joseph) Passantino of Overland Park, KS; Marie (Earl) Hill of Des Moines; children, Susan (James) Salsman of St. Charles; Tami Sandquist of Johnston; Beth (Eric) Stroud of Urbandale; David (Michelle) Sandquist of Earlham; and Stephen (Marina) Sandquist of Johnston; and several grandchildren; and great-grandchildren. He is missed and loved by his many friends and family, as he touched their lives in so many big and small ways.
Special thanks to Dr. Thomas Buroker of John Stoddard Cancer Center of Des Moines, his nurse Pat and staff; the nurses at Iowa Health Home Care of Des Moines; and Pastor Greg Youmans of First Assembly of God Church for their wonderful help and counsel during Gary's illness. Memorial contributions may be directed to First Assembly of God Church in Des Moines, the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, or the Associated General Contractors of Iowa Foundation.