"I am sorry to read of Richard's pssing. I remeber working with him in the 70s. He was a great guy. Kevin Stewart"
In loving memory of
Richard Allen Sands
September 15, 1951 - March 11, 2019
Richard Sands, 67 of Malvern, IA, passed away on March 11, 2019 at Nebraska Medicine in Omaha. Memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 16, 2019 at the Loess Hills Funeral Home in Malvern. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.
Memorials: At the request of the family, in lieu of flowers, memorials are to the Malvern Volunteer Rescue
Richard Allen Sands was born on September 15, 1951 in Maryville, Missouri, the son of Edward Gene and Delsie Faye (Brown) Sands. His family moved to Malvern, Iowa when Richard was in the 7th grade. He graduated from the Malvern Community High School with the Class of 1971. Richard worked for the Malvern School District as an elementary school custodian and bus driver for 25+ years. He also worked part-time at Pizza Hut in Glenwood, Iowa. After leaving the school, Richard worked at Walmart in Bellevue, Nebraska when it first opened. Richard then worked at the Glenwood Resource Center until his retirement.
Richard and Diane Marie Miller, from Sidney, Iowa, a teacher at Chantry Elementary, were married on December 17, 1994 in Sidney and made their home in Malvern.
Richard enjoyed driving bus for, and attending, the school sports events, especially football, for Malvern. He twice received the "Malvern Fan of the Year" award. Richard was also a huge fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals, enjoyed camping and watching WWF and WWE wrestling.
Throughout their marriage, Richard and Diane, raised their fur babies, Coke, Heidi, Ladi, Callie, Sammy Jo, and most currently, Tucker.
Richard endured health issues through his years but greeted each day with positive thoughts and prayers.
Richard passed away on March 11, 2019 at the Nebraska Med Center in Omaha, at the age of 67 years, 5 months, and 26 days. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Delsie; sister Alice Sands; brother-in-law Darwin Dhone; and father-in-law Fred Miller.
Richard is survived by his best friend and loving wife of 24 years, Diane Sands of Malvern; daughter Charity Wyant of Omaha, NE; siblings, Edward Sands and wife Kathy of Madrid, IA, Michael Sands and wife Susan of Kansas City, MO, Debbie Dhone of Kearney, MO, and Byron Sands and wife Cindy of Glenwood; mother-in-law Marilyn Miller of Sidney; brother-in-law Dennis Miller and wife Marian of Watertown, WI; sister-in-law Denise Brehmer of Nebraska City, NE; nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.
Richard will be remembered always having a smile for everyone while working at Chantry. "A gentle and kind soul", "So patient with all the school kids through the years", "Hardworking and took pride in his job", "He had such a great laugh", "Always took time to say hello", "Cared so much for the kids", "Best bus driver", "Loudest at football games", "Kick ball king at recess" and best of all "Richard was as much of a memory of my childhood as Sesame Street and Star Wars. He was an example to all us kids at school of hard work and kindness" were just a few of the many memories shared about Richard. He was a good friend, loved by so many, and will be truly missed.
Tributes
"Dian and Charity: I am so sorry to read of the resent passing of Richard. I remember him as always presenting a positive greeting with a smile. He was always willing to be of assistance in making others' day a bit easier through his efforts. Being around Richard at Chantry elementary school, during years of coaching in Malvern, and at GRC, that image was always present. R.I.P. Richard. Tim Schaefer"
"I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Richard. He always had a kind smile to go with his kind soul. I remember him well as a bus driver for many years. He even drove some of my nieces and nephews. Richard will be greatly missed but his sprit of happiness that he shared throughout the years will remain. My condolences to all his family. "
"I?m so sorry for your loss. Richard was a sweetheart, just all around nice guy. I Remember working 2 years with him at Chantry during the summer when I was a teenager. He was my bus driver and my kids driver too. My heart goes out to all of Richard?s family and friends. "
"Diane even thou we live away from your area now our thoughts and prayers will travel to you. So sorry to hear of your loss but just live with the great memories and keep God in your heart."
"One of the best! He was one of the kindest, patient and caring people around. He always had a smile on his face in one of the more thankless jobs in the market. But he did it with pride and a smile on his face! Rest easy, my thoughts and prayers to his family. Jenni (Burgoin) Comer "
"Diane, I continue to pray for you and for Richard. He sounds like a wonderful soul and I know that he will be greatly missed by you and all who knew him. "
"Richard lived up the road from my grandparents (Dean and Marilyn Sila) there in Malvern. I remember how kind and caring he was and when he was a bus driver for Malvern schools when I was a kid. its been quite some time since I last saw him and Diane but they never once left my mind. my heart goes out to Diane, Charity and the rest of the Sands family"
"He was my boss at my first job. I was thirteen and working on a summer job program as a janitor. I did that for a few years. I enjoyed working with him and "Champ" Wesley Miller. He was also my bus driver for many years. Very nice man. Rest easy buddy."
"My sincerest sympathy to Diane and Charity, and to all of Richard's family. Terry Hertz"
"My sincerest sympathy to Diane and Charity, and to all of Richard's family. Terry Hertz"
"My thoughts go out to the family. Richard was as much of a memory of my childhood as Sesame Street and Star Wars. He was an example to all us kids at school of hard work and kindness. The sound of his laughter is something I will never forget. May you all find peace in your memories of Richard. "
"My prayers and thoughts go out to you, Diane. I was so saddened to hear the news. Richard was such a nice man, just like your Dad and he will be missed. "
"My love and prayers to all of the Sands family. Richard was loved by all and will be greatly missed. He was a great man. "
"My deepest sympathy to your family and friends. Richard was one of the sweetest kindest man I ever knew. So proud to say he was my cousin. The fun and memories we had as children will always be in my heart. Prayers and Love to all. Teryl Brown Bass"
"So sorry for your loss. Richard was a good neighbor and friend. Butch and Susan Pontow "
"So very sorry and prayers for Diane and Family ?
Your strength in family and the Lord May you find comfort at this difficult time
Love ?? Rita & Mark Bienhoff ( Sands ) "
"So very sorry for your loss , Richard was one of the best guys I had pleasure of meeting. He graduated with my brother, David.
Becky Fritz Jennings "
"So sorry to hear that this had happen my heart goes out to his family members only got to know you all for short time thru Fred and Marilyn Miller me and my husband are deaf and attend church at Nishna Valley Christian Church Ronald & Terri ann Fetz"
"So sorry to hear of Richard?s passing. I will always reminder his laugh & positive attitude as he was cleaning and taking care of just about everything at Chantry. My thoughts to his family at this difficult time. "