SANDBERG
Kjell (Bob)
July 22, 1927 - January 1, 2008
Bob was born July 22, 1927 in Oslo, Norway to Borghild and Aslak Sandberg. He was an infant when he and his mother and sister Eleanor journeyed to Viking, Alberta, Canada to join up with his father who ventured out ahead of them. The family farmed for a few years before moving to Kimberley, BC where Bob finished his schooling. They then returned to Viking where Bob farmed and worked in the local creamery.
Love came calling when a girl from New Westminster moved into town. Bob and Mavis Matheson were married March 31, 1948. Their first child, Kenneth, was born in Kimberley, BC. Their next three children - Larry, Douglas and Joanne - were born in Viking. The two youngest - Kathryn and Ronald - joined them after they moved back to Kimberley in 1953 when Bob began employment at Cominco and a 34 year career as a miner. In 1964 the family moved to Vancouver Island where Bob worked at Westmin until suffering a major heart attack in 1987. Bob loved mining and was proud to serve his fellow workers for some time as president of their local Steelworkers Union.
Bob and Mavis moved to Kimberley to live again for a few years and then returned to the Island where they have since resided. In February, 2007 Bob went to live in Oceanview at St. Joseph's Hospital in Comox where he was so gently and kindly cared for by the staff and by Dr. Stephen Matous. We, the family, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your generosity of spirit towards us and towards Bob. And thank you for laughing with him!
Bob is predeceased by his son Kenneth Sandberg, grandson Michael Sandberg, granddaughter Kristi Sandberg, niece Shirley (Jane) West-Sells and his sister Eleanor Shonsta.
He leaves behind a large family who love him deeply. Mourning his passing is his wife of 59 years, Mavis of Comox and his children, Larry (Lynda) of Port Hardy, Douglas of Comox, Joanne of Saltspring Island, Kathryn of Comox, and Ronald (Janice) of Camrose, Alberta. His remaining grandchildren include Kerry (Dwayne) Murray of Port McNeill, Teresa (Jeff) Wallace of Port McNeill, Larry (Allison) of Nanaimo, Leon (Lisa) of Nanaimo, Lorne of Campbell River, Lance of Calgary, Alberta, Brydan and Jaron of Camrose, Alberta, Janine Legare of Kanata, Ontario, Jessica Legare of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Nathan Legare of Lloydminister, Alberta and Kaija of Comox. He has 11 great-grandchildren including the upcoming "Peanut". Bob's brother Arne (Barb), and sister, Sylvia (Roy) Hellekson of Nelson will miss him dearly. Other family members holding Bob in their heart include his brother-in-law Keith Wollen of 100 Mile House, Aunt Kristianne of Kimberley, his cousin Thor of Westbank and nieces and nephews in Kimberley, Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo and Campbell River.
Bob loved his family well. He also loved the woods, the mountains and water, hunting, fishing and camping. He was an outdoorsman to the core, finding peace and vitality in quiet communion with nature and its wild inhabitants.
I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.
(John Burroughs, nature writer)
A Celebration of Bob's life will be held in the summer of 2008. Specifics TBA.
Please consider donations to Oceanview (extended care unit) at St. Joseph's Hospital in Comox in lieu of flowers.