Robert M. Sandborg
May 5, 1928 — October 31, 2017
Robert M. Sandborg, 89, of Moline, IL, died Tuesday, October 31, 2017, at Silver Cross Health & Rehab, Rock Island, IL.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, November 3, 2017, at First Evangelical Free Church, 3321 7th Street, Moline. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, November 2, 2017, at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., 6601 38th Avenue, Moline. Burial will be at National Cemetery at the Rock Island Arsenal, where military honors will be conducted by the Moline American Legion Post 246. Memorials may be made to First Evangelical Free Church.
Robert was born on May 5, 1928, in Galesburg, IL, the son of Maurice and Beatrice Hicks Sandborg. After graduating high school, he joined the Navy in 1947. He was based out of Miramar, San Diego, California, as an Aviation Photographer Mate. He discharged in 1951, attended Bradley University from 1951 to 1952, and moved to Moline, IL.
In 1953, he began working at The Daily Dispatch in the Photography Department. It was there, that he met his wife of twenty-five years.
He married Lola R. Holty on June 22, 1957, in Houston, MN. They had two sons, Thomas and Scott.
He began his career at Deere & Company in 1958, where he worked in the Advertising Department. He retired in 1983.
He was an active member of First Evangelical Free Church, where he served on various boards and committees. He was also a Sunday school teacher and wedding photographer.
He also supported numerous charities and non-profit organizations, including Youth Hope, Camp Summit, and Moody Bible Institute.
Those left to honor his memory are his sons, Thomas (Rebecca) and Scott (Chris); brothers, Paul Sandborg (Rita), Galesburg, IL, and David Sandborg, CA; grandchildren, Abigail Howard (Jim), St. Louis, MO, Allison Mitchell (Adam), Carol Stream, IL, Annah Sandborg, Carol Stream, IL, Kirsten King, Middlebury, IN, Zach King, Moline, IL, Shane Sandborg and Alex Sandborg, Moline, IL, Daniel Fassett and Chandler Fassett, Peoria, IL; and special friends, Jim and Sharron Ziel.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Lola; brothers, George and Richard; and sister, Elinor Pritchard.
Memories may be shared online by visiting esterdahl.com.
Service Program