Roger David Sandack

Roger David Sandack, age 81, passed away peacefully at his home in Salt Lake City on October 8, 2025. All of us who love Roger are grateful for the 5 and a half years he lived after his Glioblastoma 4 diagnosis in March of 2020. He continued to live a full life, a life defined by his resilience and warmheartedness, his love of family and friends, his law practice of 57 years, his exceptional personality, and his dedication to golf, a passion that likely extended his life (thank you, Ken Clark golf team). Since his passing, Roger‘s friends and colleagues have shared their memories of him with us, reminders of his love for life and the people in it. He was a friend to all. How we will miss him.

Roger was born on January 23, 1944 in Salt Lake City. His twin brother, Rick, was born 15 minutes later. Their big sister, Nancy, 18 months old, was eager to hold the twin babies. Soon there would be a little brother, Art, and a baby sister, Susan. Their parents, Wally and Helen Sandack, were active politically and civically, and their children followed a similar path. Roger practiced law, first in New York City, then in Salt Lake City. In 1973, he married Jerry, and in 1975 they welcomed their cherished daughter, Emily. Roger and Jerry later divorced and remained friends.

Roger and Roz married in 1998. Roger’s love extended to his step-children, Jonathan and Emily Belle and to his step-grandchildren, Saskia, Matias, and Isabelle. Roger and Roz shared 30+ happy years together. Just a month before he passed, we danced in the kitchen to celebrate our wedding anniversary. What a great team we were.

Over the years, Roger and Emily spent quiet and peaceful hours together working on jigsaw puzzles, when not out skiing, playing tennis, cruising around in a golf cart, or watching anything that could break him into that uncontrollable, contagious laughter that we all know and love so well.

One of the highlights of Roger’s life were the years he spent as president of the Salt Lake City library board with library director, Nancy Tessman. Together, the committee selected the internationally renowned architectural firm of Moshe Safdie to design the main, downtown library, one of the finest buildings in our city. Roger spoke at the library’s opening in 2002.

For over 30 years, Roger enjoyed Gin Rummy weekday lunches at the Olympian with his dear friends, Tony Sweet, Hank Volkman, and David Razor. They even had their own special table. Roger also loved and appreciated weekly Friday lunches at home with Tony and Hank when he could no longer drive.

Our family would like to recognize and thank Dr. Joe Mendez and his team, Paula and Heather, at Huntsman Cancer Hospital. Heartfelt thanks to Roger‘s caregivers in our home in his final days: Meleane, Lisi, Saane, Nina, and Vina. They gave Roger loving care. And special thanks to Huntsman at Home Hospice: London, Nidhi, and Blaire. You went above and beyond in your care of Roger and in helping to keep our family glued tightly together.

A service will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. followed by a celebration of Roger’s life from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Hidden Valley Country Club, 11820 S Highland Dr, Sandy, UT 84092.

Please let Roz or Emily know if you plan to attend: rsandackcelebration@gmail.com.