This week, we would like to remember Half Fanatic member #13814 Allen Sandstrom who passed away this month on June 16th, 2019.
Below is beautiful except written by his niece Teri Parent.
"Our beloved Brother and Uncle, Allen Ray Sandstrom, passed away on Sunday, June 16, 2019.
Born March 25th, 1938, Allen lived an extraordinary life, humbly and modestly. He served in the Merchant Marines and the U.S. Army, returning home to enroll at Portland State University in 1959 while working full-time. He graduated from PSU in 1964 with a business degree and was the first in his family to earn a college education.
With a passion for education, Allen created the Allen Ray Sandstrom Endowed Scholarship which provides an opportunity for full-time PSU students who graduated from a public high school in the Beaverton or Portland school districts with a grade point average of 3.0 or better to apply. The scholarship will pay 50 to 100 percent of tuition and fees.
Allen worked in accounting his entire career, primarily at Portland General Electric, before retiring as a Sr. Financial Planner in 1997.
In the 1970’s, he joined the Mazamas Mountaineering group and participated in multiple climbs throughout the Pacific NW including Mount St.Helens before the eruption. Allen was also a passionate runner (and member of the Half Fanatics club) completing over 106 races, the first being in April of 1991, and the last in September of 2018. He completed a total of 30 half-marathons in 2017.
As in life, Allen choose to be remembered quietly, with his family at his side, therefore a public service will not be held. Charitable donations in his name can be made to the Mazamas Mountaineering group in his honor.
Preceding Allen in his death are his father George and mother Gloria Sandstrom. Allen leaves behind his "much older" brother John Sandstrom (wife Renate) and "much younger" sister Margaret (Marge) Evans along with his favorite cousin Sandy Lakomecki. Allen also leaves behind several nephews and nieces who not only considered him an uncle but also a father figure.
Allen was a quiet, loving, well-mannered and good natured friend, and community volunteer who is greatly missed by his friends and family.
And currently, we believe he's most likely leading a running group or climbing a mountain and won’t have time to read this tribute (or correct it)."
"Running has taught me, perhaps more than anything else, that there's no reason to fear starting lines...or other new beginnings." -Amby Burfoot
You've lived a life worth living, and left behind legacy. Cheers to your new adventure Allen.