Obituary of Dale Eugene Sandstrom

Rev. Dr. Dale Sandstrom, age 91, of Hawley, PA, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. He was born in Enderlin, ND, on June 24, 1933, to Annie (Langland) Sandstrom and Arthur Sandstrom. He spent his early years living in Glendive, MT and graduated in 1955 from Concordia College in Morehead, MN with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and pre-seminary. During college he became International Secretary of the American Lutheran Church, Luther League organization. He was also voted into the Concordia College Hall of Fame and "Most Valuable Player" in his college football conference. While in college, he also served as senior class president and belonged to "Crusaders for Christ Organization" and preached in churches that did not have pastors. He was drafted into the Chicago Cardinal professional football league but decided his "calling" was with the ministry and received a four-year master's degree of Divinity at Luther Theological Seminary, St. Paul, MN. His first parish was Bethany Lutheran in Big Fork, MT and Edswald Lutheran in Somers, MT. His second parish was Shiloh Lutheran of Elmore, MN, and his third parish was Our Savior Lutheran Church in Staten Island, NY. His last parish in those 12 years was Holy Trinity in Lake Telemark, NJ. He became Vice President of Nyack Hospital in Nyack, NY, after earning a master's degree in Hospital Administration from Wagner College in Staten Island, NY. He went on to become President and CEO of Good Shepherd Hospital and Rehabilitation Facility for 20 years and received an honorary doctorate degree from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA. He established the annual Good Shepherd Celebrity Classic Golf Tournament, with many famous participants such as astronaut Neil Armstrong and singer Perry Como. He was also a board member at the Bank of Pennsylvania in Allentown. While at Good Shepherd he established the Affinity Program, a comprehensive rehab program with Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown. The Affinity Program was a spiritual and healing program for clergy who were having problems with stress and dealing with duties to help people with problems in their lives. While at Good Shepherd he also established three rehab satellite facilities in the surrounding area. In retirement, he was a pastor at Hemlock Farms Church and served as chaplain at Pike County Correctional Facility, both in Lords Valley, PA. The State of Israel recognized Dr. Sandstrom's activities by awarding him with the Maimonides Award in Allentown on June 22, 1989, presented by Mayor Joseph Dadona. Dale was an avid golfer and big game hunter, but his greatest love was serving his lord and taking care of his family and church families. Although diagnosed with dementia in his early 80's, Dale and Lillian were able to be together for 70 years. They often sang or said together the words for "Living for Jesus." O Jesus Lord and Savior, I give myself to thee. Lord thou in your atonement, did give yourself to me. I know no other masters, my heart shall be thy throne. My life I give forth to thee, Jesus Christ alone. Dale is survived by his loving wife: Lillian (Gustavsen); three children: Peter (Jackie), Marcus, and Kari Skutnik (David); five grandchildren: Brent Sandstrom (Brett), Kirk Sandstrom, Timothy Skutnik (Stormie), Christopher Skutnik (Allison) and Emily Skutnik (Eugene); and three great grandchildren: Lacey, Brooke and Ivy. A service of celebration and thanksgiving for Dale will be held on June 9, 2025, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 508 Green Pond Rd, Lake Telemark, Rockaway Township, NJ 07866, where formerly Dale had been a pastor in the 1970's. Viewing and prayers will be held from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Service will be at 1:00 PM with Rev. Dr. Jack DiMatteo officiating. Burial will be in Marcella Union Cemetery, Rockaway, NJ, following the funeral service. Luncheon will follow at Sons of Norway building in Lake Telemark, across from the church. All are welcome! Memorials in Dale's honor may be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 508 Green Pond Rd, Rockaway Township, NJ 07866.