Robert E. Sands, 94, of Westport, passed away Thursday, Nov. 3, 2016, at Charlton Memorial Hospital.  He was the husband of Judith (Judy) Beiser Sands who survives along with two daughters, Karen A. Sands of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Elizabeth M. Sands of Westport; two sons, David R. Sands and his wife Bonnie of Cape Coral, Fla., and Marietta, Ohio, John F. Sands of Lexington, Mass.; a sister, Harriet A. Gobi of Spencer; his sister-in-law, Rose Sands of Worcester; his brother and sister-in-law, John and Maureen Beiser of Atlanta; four grandchildren, Ruby Sands,  Aiden Sands, Mark Sands and Stephen Sands and his wife Lauren with great grandchild, Luna Sands; many nieces and nephews, including Richard, Bruce, Bobby, Brian, Peter and Anne Gobi, Walter, Bill and Joe Sands, Jimmy Blanchard, Mark and Alan Voorhees, Jane Blitz, Judy Thrope,Kate Connolly, as well as many grand nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by brothers Gladstone Mitchell, Freeman Sands and Walter Sands, and sisters June Fullum, Mary Carbonneau and Eleanor Blanchard.

Robert was a salesman for the Equitable Life Assurance Society for many years before retiring.

He was born in East Douglas, Mass., the son of Freeman A. and Bessie (Levenseller) Sands Sr., and raised his family in Marietta, Ohio, prior to retiring to Massachusetts. He attended David Prouty High School in Spencer prior to enlisting in the US Navy as a submariner on December 8, 1941.  Following WW II, he graduated from Marietta College and married Judy Beiser on 9/1/1950.

Robert enjoyed Dixieland jazz and playing the trumpet, a skill he volunteered to WW II vets by playing taps at military funeral services. He was an avid woodworker making many pieces of furniture enjoyed by the family. Bob’s passion for music, the environment, animals, and books were shared and passed onto his children.  He loved his dogs and spoiled them relentlessly.

A memorial service will be scheduled in the future with burial to take place at Beech Grove Cemetery, Westport, at the request of the family.

Calling hours are respectfully omitted.

Please omit flowers; contributions may be made to Pets for Vets Charity or the individual’s favorite charity in Bob’s name.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Potter Funeral Home, 81 Reed Road, Westport.   

To sign the on-line guest book, please visit www.potterfuneralservice.com.