Captain Robert Sands, USN, Retired of Georgetown, loving husband, dad and veteran of the United States Navy passed away on April 5, 2020.
Services for Captain Sands with full military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C. at a later date to be announced.
Robert was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on February 10, 1939 to Bernard Aloyious and Ruth Barbara (Kowall) Sands. He married Elaine Taschetta (Tye) Scott on February 18, 1969 in San Antonio, Texas. He and Tye are the proud parents of two sons, Scott and Marc.
Robert graduated from the University of Denver in Denver, Colorado with a BSBA Degree in Management in 1960. He received his Commission from Officers Candidate School, Newport, Rhode Island in 1961.
A long and illustrious career began with his initial sea duty aboard the USS Lowe from 1961-1964. This was followed by assignment to Naval Air Station, Atsugi, Japan, then Commander Military Assistance Command Vietnam Naval Advisory Group as a Naval Advisor to the Vietnamese Navy then as Aide and Flag Lieutenant to Commander Naval Forces Vietnam. In 1967, he attended the Naval Destroyer School course of instruction prior to serving aboard USS Mullany as Engineering Officer. In 1969, he joined Commander Naval Forces Marianas Staff in the Operations and Plans Division. By 1972 he was reporting to the USS Ogden as Engineering Officer, deploying to the Vietnamese waters and participation in Operation "End Sweep", the mine clearing operation along the coast of North Vietnam. He then served as Executive Officer, USS Bristol County, followed by a tour of duty at the Navy Recruiting District, Los Angeles, California; he commanded USS Tuscaloosa through two deployments; then was assigned to the staff of Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C. He had a tour of duty on the staff of Commander In Chief, United States European Command. In Captain Sands' 30 plus years of service to our country, he also served in various positions aboard Destroyers and Amphibious ships. He commanded the USS Tuscalousa and Naval Air Station Mare Island, California.
Captain Sands' personal decorations include the Bronze Star with combat "V", Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2), Joint Service Commendations, Combat Action Ribbons, Navy Unit Commendations; Meritorious Unit Commendations; Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Gold Star (2), National Defense Service Medal; Navy Battle "E" Ribbon; Sea Service Deployment Ribbon; Vietnam Staff Honor Medal; Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation; Vietnam Campaign Medal; Vietnam Service Medal (5); Overseas Service Ribbon (5), Battle Efficiency Ribbon.
A well-deserved retirement from the United States Navy came for Captain Sands on March 1, 1991. However, the Captain continued in service to the State of California as the Director of the California Department of Fish and Game Oil Spill Prevention and Response Organization; Department for Planning and Response for the State of California. Another well-deserved retirement came eight years later in 1999. There was no stopping Captain Sands. From 1999-2004, he taught middle and high school students and coached freshman and varsity football at Vandon High School in Fairfield, California.
Robert was a member of the Santa Rosa de Lima Parish of Andice. He was active in Kappa Sigma, NRA and VFW.
You may share a message or memory in the online memorial guestbook at
www.RamseyFuneral.com
.
