The Dalles Chronicle June 14, 2005

Paul Howard Sanstrum

Paul H. Sanstrum, 92, a resident of Hood River, died on June 6, 2005. He was born April 22, 1913, in Pleasant Valley, Wash., the oldest child of three born to Lawrence and Mabel Sanstrum.

He spent his growing years in Glenwood, Pleasant Valley, and Goldendale. By the time he was 25 years old he was promoted to the manager of the Safeway store in Cascade Locks. In 1940 he became manager of the Safeway in Hood River and, except for the time he spent overseas in World War II, he remained there until his retirement in 1973.

In April of 1941 he enlisted in the Army and was stationed at McCord Field. He attended officer’s candidate school and received his commission as a second lieutenant. He served in India and Okinawa during the war and in April 1946 he completed his service with the Army and returned to Hood River and his job as manager at Safeway. He joined the Hood River Army reserve unit and eventually retired from the reserves having attained a rank of Lt. Colonel.

While stationed at McCord Field He met Louise Hruby. They were married Nov. 30, 1942. She died in 1988.

He was actively involved with the Hood River Lions Club for 59 years. He held many offices including president and district governor. While he was district governor he started more Lions clubs than anyone else in North America. He established the Hood River Lions Charitable Foundation Trust which gives thousand of dollars annually to local civic projects. He was also directly involved in numerous local Lions community projects.

He was a longtime member of the Elks Club and the American Legion. He served on the Hood River City Council and after his retirement was the interim manager for the Hood River Chamber of Commerce.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, skiing, golfing and bowling and often took his grandchildren bowling. He owned a cabin near Mt. Adams and spent many weekends entertaining family and friends there.

In 1989 he married Viva Smith. They enjoyed 16 years of retirement together.

He is survived by his wife; son Philip and his wife Gina; grandchildren, Aaron Sanstrum, Lynette Glass, Sheri Cunningham, Joshua, Sanstrum and Bethany Sanstrum; great-grandchildren, Victoria Cunningham, Madeline Sanstrum, Betsy Sanstrum, Andrew Sanstrum, Ethan Glass and Isaac Cunningham; sisters Edna Callan and Kathryn Hays.

He was preceded in death by his son Larry Sanstrum.

A service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, June 17, at Anderson’s Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont Rd, Hood River, OR 97031 (541-386-1000), followed by a graveside committal at 2:30 p.m. at Mountain View Cemetery in Goldendale.

Memorials may be made to the Hood River Lions Charitable Foundation Trust, P O Box 860, Hood River, Oregon 97031.