Fred Sand, longtime Kenwood resident, age 79

Fred Sand passed away on April 26 at 10:30 a.m. after a short battle with cancer. He was at home, surrounded by his family, and with aid from Sonoma Hospice.

Fred was born on April 7, 1931, in Corte Madera, California. He attended Tam and San Rafael High Schools, and graduated from San Rafael High in 1949. He married his high school sweetheart Dallyce ‘Dee’ Ruhlman in 1951. Fred served in the Army Paratroopers, training in Fort Benning, Georgia.

When he was discharged, Fred and Dee settled in Novato where he built his first house to raise his family. The family moved to Kenwood in 1962 for Fred to work as the local telephone repairman.



He joined the Kenwood Fire Dept. as a volunteer in 1961 and stayed on for 49 years at many different levels, with a four-year break in the 1970s. After five years as a volunteer, Fred became Fire Chief in 1965 and served until 1969 when Ed Geib became chief. Fred and family moved further north for the phone company for several years, but returned to Kenwood in 1975, at which time Fred became a director on the fire district board, a post he held until he retired in February, 2010.

Fred played a big part in fighting the Mayacamas ridge fire in 1963 that threatened homes on the east side of the valley, burning as far as Adobe Canyon Road. Even after retiring from the board, he’d drop by the Firehouse for a cup of coffee and talk every week. He was recently honored with a plaque from the Kenwood Fire Protection District in appreciation of his 45 years of service.

Geib, who retired 14 years ago, said, “Nothing happened in this community for 50 years that Fred wasn’t there, helping out. There was nothing he wouldn’t help with.”

Geib recalled when Fred first came to town working for the phone company, “It was a wreck. Fred would sleep down there to keep the phone service working.” Fred was a quiet man, too. “He wasn’t making all the noise, but he’d be the first one there with a hammer getting the work done. He’ll be missed.”

Fred also worked with the youth in 4-H and F.F.A for many years. Neighbor and long-time friend Bob Parsons remembers Fred constantly helping out with the many animals the 4-H kids would bring up to the house. “One year, a huge pig with 13 babies died suddenly. Fred rigged up a feeder from an old set of bedsprings and exhibited them at the County Fair. They were a huge hit.”

Tony Ghisla was one of those kids and remembers Fred as a strong father figure to many.

“He was one of the good guys,” Ghisla said. “You could pick any word out of the thesaurus like ‘kind,’ ‘caring,’ ‘understanding,’ ‘willing’ – they all describe Fred very well.” Fred partnered with Tony’s dad Vincent for several construction jobs.

As the telephone repairman at the local phone exchange on Randolph Ave., Fred noticed a cat had killed a mother quail. He gathered up the eggs, and Dee hatched them in an electric frying pan. All four were released to the wild after entertaining the entire 4-H club.

In 1973 Fred became a General Contractor and built several custom homes in Sonoma County until he retired in 1998. “Fred loved building,” Parsons said.

Fred enjoyed deer hunting in the fall, and was a member of the Alleghany Safari Club for 60 years. And while he didn’t personally care for abalone, he’d often dive for them during camping trips to the coast and share the catch with his friends.

Family was always number one with Fred. Anytime a child or grandchild was playing at a local Little League or soccer game, Fred was there, cheering them on, Parsons noted.

Fred is survived by his sons Rick Sand of Boise, Ron Sand (Patty) of Redding, Steve Sand (Michelle), and his daughter Lynette Meredith (Scott) of Kenwood.

He was also blessed with 11 grandchildren and three great grandchildren: Grandchildren Ben, Philip, Loren, and Ryan Sand in Boise; Elizabeth and Peter Sand of Redding; Jacob, Whitney and Catherine Dixon of Kenwood; and Dillon and Conor Sand of Glen Ellen. Great grandchildren Alexie and Brandy Dixon of Florida; and Addie Sand of Boise.

His memorial service is planned for June 20 (Father’s Day) at the Kenwood Community Church.

The Sand Family suggests memorial contributions to Kenwood Fire Protection District, P.O. Box 249, Kenwood, CA 95452; or Sonoma Hospice by the Bay, 17 E. Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Suite 100, Larkspur, CA 94939.

– Jay Gamel