Dr. Richard Drummond SANDILANDS
Dr. Richard Sandilands passed away peacefully Thursday, June 15, 2023 surrounded by loved ones.
He was born July 16, 1943 in Minnedosa, Manitoba and practiced dentistry in Edmonton for several years. He is survived by his loving wife Marjorie, his daughter Kathryn, her husband David and children Mitchell and Garrett, and his son Bryan, his wife Gillian and their children Matt, Anna and Will, his older sister Lynne and her husband Don of Calgary, and his younger sister Barbara and her partner Ali of Ottawa.
A public celebration of life will be held at the Windermere Golf and Country club from 2-5pm July 16, 2023, in celebration of what would have been his 80th birthday.
To livestream the service please go to
PLEASE USE THE FOLLOWING LINK
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hprD7bY_QX4&authuser=0
Memorial donations may be made to the TAVI Program c/o the Mazankowski Heart Institute.
Dr. Richard (Dick) D. Sandilands
July 16, 1943 to June 15, 2023
Dr Richard (Dick) Sandilands was born July 16, 1943 in Minnedosa, Manitoba to Olive Margaret (Peggy) and Adam Sandilands. He was the middle of their three children with an older sister Lynne and a younger sister Barbara. Adam was an electrical engineer who worked for Phillips Cable and Peggy was school teacher in rural Manitoba before her marriage to Adam. Once married, she became an
extraordinary homemaker. She was a gifted connector and extravert, and passed this on to her son. She always loved people and was an incredible cook. Her grandchildren looked forward to homemade cinnamon buns and Parkhouse rolls, cookies, oatcakes and jam every visit. Adm’s job took them to Winnipeg, Brockville, Regina and Edmonton.
Growing up the kids spent the summers with their grandparents in Minnedosa,
Manitoba. Dick had fond memories of his grandparents. His grandfather spent a lot of time with him and taught him to carve willow whistles. Dick went to Old Scona and new Scona High School in Edmonton, and decided to become a dentist. He did a year of Sciences at the University of Alberta before being
accepted into Dentistry. He always loved to tell the story that he barely passed Physics while trying to get into dentistry. He went into the exam and froze up and ended up doing an elaborate drawing of a tall ship in which he embedded all the formulas he could remember and managed to pass the course and get accepted to dentistry! He graduated from Dentistry in 1965.
At this time his wife to be, Marjorie, had moved to Edmonton from Calgary to study nursing. They met at a young people’s meeting soon after she arrived. They dated while they were both in university and on her graduation with her RN, he presented her with a shot gun! His mother followed her into the bathroom and said “we were expecting a ring! If I were you, I would point it at him! “. A ring did follow when she completed her BScN and they were married Sept 17, 1966. The joke is he always thinks it was the 18 so every year he tries to celebrate a day later!!!
His first associateship was with Dr. Millard Blackburn at 20 yrs of age (he had to wait until he turned 21 to be able to write prescriptions). He ended up in practice with Dr. Don Gilmour, and Dr. Bill Mitchell and created a group practice which was a relatively new way of practicing dentistry, at the time. Their office was in the Empire building, where he worked until the end of his career as a wet fingered dentist.
Marj and Dick’s first child was a Labrador retriever named Sam. He was infamous for getting into trouble. He climbed 6 ft fences and was a master at running away. He started Dick’s love of dog training and his friendship with Don Pollock. The family would cross the country several times in a trailer chasing dog trials. Sam was a national field trial champion, which is likely the only reason why Marj let him live. When Marj’s friend came back from Europe with thigh high leather boots, Sam ate one right to the heel in record time. She had suggested the friend not leave them in the back hall and but her friend thought they were fine. They remained lifelong friends despite the boot fiasco!
They bought their first house in 1967 because Dick bought Sam! Their daughter Kathryn was born October of 1969 (during hunting season) and their son
followed in January of 1972. Dick was active in the dental curling league and curled in many bonspiels. He loved the camaraderie in his profession and eventually decided to run for the president of the Alberta Dental Association and then later the President of the Canadian Dental Association. Through his tenure working in organized dentistry, he developed many lifelong friendships and made a huge impact on his profession.
One of his other great loves was fishing and after meeting Dr. Doug McKillop as a
student he began fishing with him at the west coast. Dick eventually bought his own boat and float cabin and spent weeks every summer chasing salmon. It was one of his favourite places on earth and he spent time there with family and friends. We all used to joke about “fish lag” which was what you got waking up before dawn and fishing until after dark.
His other passion was hunting ducks and geese. He actually went as far as to start his own decoy company at one point (you can never have too many decoys right?) Bryan as a teenager had the job of spraying the white cheek patches on the goose heads. He shared this passion with his grandson’s Mitchell (26) and Garrett (24) and many of his friends. His rule was it was okay to shoot things with eyes smaller than his, so he never took up big game hunting with his grandson’s and their dad.
Golf was his summer way of life and the Windermere his summer home. If one round of golf was good, two was better! He and Marj golfed every year until this year. He met many friends through this lifelong passion. After his accident, he had to switch from being a right-handed golfer to being a “lefty”. Most of could hardly fathom making this switch!!
Dick was a man who walked into a room of strangers and saw a room full of potential lifelong friends. We used to laugh as kids because he knew everyone everywhere we went. We would find ourselves often at strangers’ homes because he had struck up a new friendship! He had a great sense of humour and he was always fun to be around.
In 1987 he had a life altering event when he was in a car accident that ended his career as a wet fingered dentist. He was devastated to lose the career he loved. It left him with neck and shoulder injuries that never again allowed him to practice. Not one to give up, he worked hard to recreate his career in another area of dentistry and worked for a long time as a practice broker and practice management consultant with his long-time friend Bill Fotty, and then eventually created his own successful consulting practice MD Health Management. He loved his profession and worked to positively impact it right until his last day. He had a long legacy of stepping up to take leadership positions in his field. He had been a member of Rotary International since 1983. He belonged to many study clubs including the Edmonton and Calgary Gnathological study clubs, the Gold Foil Study Club of Washington Oregon, The American Society of Dentistry for Children and the American Society of Preventive Dentistry. He was President of the Edmonton and District Dental Society from 1976 -1979. He was Western Canada Dental Society President and president elect from 1980-1984 and again from 1984-1990. He became the Alberta Dental Association President from 1988-1989. In 1988-1992 he became the Alberta Governor for the Canadian Dental association and then Executive Council Member from 1992-1996 and finally President from 1998-1999. He thrived in dental politics and loved all the friendships he made there.
He also loved to contribute to Dental Education at the University. He was a guest
lecturer from 1974 on. He also became an associate Clinical Professor at the Faculty of Dentistry from 1991-1995 while his daughter was enrolled. In 1988 he and a group of associates formed The Canadian Health Advisory Consortium Inc and travelled to Ecuador looking at providing health care technology and human resource development in developing nations. The goal was to provide modular dental units to remote regions. He did this until 1996. In 1989 he founded MD Health Management Inc which provided professional consulting and Advisory services in the areas of Practice Management and Personal Development.
He had a very busy practice he enjoyed and was working right to the day before he
passed away.
The last 7 months had been difficult for Dick health wise. He had a gastric bleed in
December, congestive heart failure due to a failing valve that had to be replace in
February at The Mazankowski Heart Institute. He had a TAVI procedure and ultimately needed a pacemaker. Three months after this surgery he developed septicaemia and a septic hip (in his hip replacement). They opened and flushed it twice in 24 hrs., removed the plastic liner and replaced it. He patiently (and sometimes not so patiently) made it through six weeks of IV antibiotics, administered by his loving wife. The day before he passed, they had pulled his pic line and put him on oral antibiotics and he was studying for his driver’s test because he was turning 80. My mom was gently quizzing him when he told her he felt fuzzy and suffered a massive catastrophic, hemorrhagic stroke. Dick was bravely struggling to recover, keeping his thoughts on one more hunting trip
with his grandson’s and friends and at least one more trip fishing out to the coast. Alas it wasn’t meant to be.
After 56 years of marriage, Marj was ever his advocate right to the end. Navigating a broken health care system and trying hard to stay positive in the process, she was his rock. Marj said in the last 7 months he never ended a day without saying “Thank you for all you have done for me today, sorry if I was ill humoured. I love you”.
He is survived by his wife Marjorie, and his beloved dog Siri, their children, Kathryn and her husband David, grandson’s Mitchell and Garrett; Bryan and his wife Gillian and their three children Matt, Anna and Will; his older sister Lynne Beamer and her husband Don, their children Jennifer and her husband Debito, Chrissy and Jodi and their children Kyla and Luke; and his younger sister Barbara and her partner Ali. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, John, sister-in-law, Lynn and children: Kirsty, Fiona and Rachel.
We were blessed to have him as a loving father and husband and we are grateful he didn’t suffer and had his family around him when he passed. May your heaven be full of wiley ducks, all your favourite black Labradors and more salmon than can be caught in a day at the cabin. You will be sadly missed and forever remembered.
Written by:
Dr. Kathryn Sandilands
Daughter
July 11, 2023
I had the great honour of working with Dr. Sandilands for a very brief period of time, and I feel blessed to have had the opportunity. He was an incredibly kind and knowledgeable man, and I will miss our chats more than I can say. I am heartbroken for all of his family and friends. My most heartfelt condolences, thoughts, and prayers to all of you.
I AM IN SHOCK THIS MORNING AFTER READING THE OBITUARIES. DR. SANDILANDS BECAME MY DENTIST WHEN MOVING TO EDMONTON IN 1970. I LOVED HIM. MY SINCERE SYMPATHIES KATHRYN AND ALL THE FAMILY. MATTIE MIDDLEHURST.❤️
Another one of my cousins children has died. Soon l will be all alone in the Drummond family.
Sorry to receive news of Dicks death
Condolences to the family.
Marj and family: We send our sincere condolences, wonderful memories of meeting on a cruise ship which led to a few years together working with WCB. We experienced a wonderful trip to the floating cabin, a new experience for us. Our thoughts are with all of you. We loved Dick!
Marj, So sorry to learn about the loss of your husband. I am thinking of you and hoping you find peace and comfort. I enjoyed hearing the stories of you and your family while we were working together. My deepest sympathies to you and your family.
Pat Breakey
We met at U ofA in 1960,friends right away. After class we were chasing trout, ducks or girls until the rite gal came along.After marriage and babies the friendships persisted.I will miss you all my days old buddy rest in peace and line up a good shoot for when I get there.
Marj and family,
I just read about Gold Tooth’s (Dick) passing in the paper. He was such a fun person who always made us feel valued. He will leave a huge gap. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Rob and Debbie Elliott
Dear Marj, Bryan and Catherine as well as the rest of the Sandilands family, So sorry to hear of Dr. Sandilands passing. Our sincere condolences during this difficult time.
Vivian Hartford and Tracy Fedorak.
Marj and family, So sorry to hear of Dicks passing. I have many great memories of him. Fishing with you and Dick in Hawaii, teaching in the dental department and being members of the Gold Foil study club together. He had an amazing personality and enthusiastic attitude in everything he did especially in the area of sports in which he always excelled..I am happy to have known and worked in the same profession as him. Sincere wishes..Ken Komm
I am so sorry to have heard of Dick’s passing. I worked with Dick in the early 80’s – sharing great meals, fine wine and more than a few laughs. Like many who worked alongside him, I learned a great deal from Dick – including how to take care of a new puppy (‘keep your expensive leather boots well out of reach!’). He made significant contributions to his profession at large and improved the quality of life of his many appreciative patients. My sympathies are with you all.
My deepest condolences to Marjorie, Kathryn & David and family on the passing of Richard (Dick). He was a coFaculty of Dentistry member at the University of Alberta..
I remember him with great respect and fondness.
With sympathy,
Geoffrey Sperber
We are so sorry for your family’s loss. It seemed someone so strong would go on forever. We are sure his memories will
Marj and Fzmily, I was shocked and saddened to hear of Dick’s sudden passing. Dick gave a lot of time to organized dentistry. I enjoyed having the opportunity to work with Dick on many committees over the years. We had many laughs together both in Dental school and when we were involved in golf and curling and just kabitzing. I am so happy that we had a long telephone earlier this year which as usual was very entertaining and very upbeat. My prayers and thoughts are with all of the family during this difficult time.
Ed McIntyre
We were truly saddened to hear about the loss of a wonderful man, the gentle giant will certainly be missed by his New Zealand friends and our family. Our thoughts go out to Marj, Kathy, Bryan and their families.
Dick and I were teamates for almost 35 years and his larger than life personality will be sadly missed. He had a wicked sense of humour and was always a great ambassador for Dentistry. His ability to find middle ground on contentious issues was without equal. I will miss his hunting and fishing stories but mostly I will miss his guidance, wisdom and friendship.To Marj,Kathy and Brian know my thoughts are with you.
Mark and family our sincerest condolences. Sandy has many fond memories of duck hunting with Dick and the dogs. He was a wonderful person.
Sandy and Beth Stewart
So sorry to hear of Dick’s passing. I got to know Dick through our golf games together at the Windermere Golf & CC. Such a fun loving, kind person, easy to get to know and so immensely likeable . He had the most infectious laugh and always a big smile. He will be sorely missed by the members at the club who had the pleasure of getting to know him. My condolences to all his close friends and family members.
Dear Marj, Kathy and Bryan. .
I was shocked to hear a very dear and special classmate of ’65 suddenly passed away on Thursday June 15.
I had just talked with Dick in the afternoon of June 15 inquiring about his heart valve surgery and the sepsis problems with his hip .Dick and I had something in common dealing with cellulitis.
Dick had his usual witty sense of humor after going through hell with his problems .I still cannot believe he died that same day! We talked about his fishing at Kildonan on Alberni Inlet and hunting as well with another classmate Brian Andrews. Dick said he preferred salmon fishing while Brian loved prawns.,
Dick will be missed, he had such a great personality throughout our 4 dental years at the U. of A. . Classmates loved Dick as he kept us in stitches with jokes and imitations. Dick was also a very kind, considerate and dedicated dentist and our profession and his patients are grateful for his service and commitment.
In my eyes Dick was a gentle giant of a man with a zest for life. Rest in peace, dear friend. Our condolences to Marj and the family..Warm hugs.
With Love and in Sorrow.
Jean-Louis (John) and Mena Ares
Dear Marj, Kathy and Bryan. .
I was shocked to hear a very dear and special classmate of ’65 suddenly passed away on Thursday June 15.
I had just talked with Dick in the afternoon of June 15 inquiring about his heart valve surgery and the sepsis problems with his hip .Dick and I had something in common dealing with cellulitis.
Dick had his usual witty sense of humor after going through hell with his problems .I still cannot believe he died that same day! We talked about his fishing at Kildonan on Alberni Inlet and hunting as well with another classmate Brian Andrews. Dick said he preferred salmon fishing while Brian loved prawns.,
Dick will be missed, he had such a great personality throughout our 4 dental years at the U. of A. . Classmates loved Dick as he kept us in stitches with jokes and imitations. Dick was also a very kind, considerate and dedicated dentist and our profession and his patients are grateful for his service and commitment.
In my eyes Dick was a gentle giant of a man with a zest for life. Rest in peace, dear friend. Our condolences to Marj and the family..Warm hugs.
With Love and in Sorrow.
Jean-Louis (John) and Mena Ares
My heartfelt condolences to my old schoolmate (Scona Comp 1957 to 1960) and friend. I haven’t seen Dick in years and I have been living in Mexico for over 11 years. Rest In Peace old friend.
Marjorie,
Brian and I are very sad today to hear of Dick’s passing. We remember him very fondly as a man full of life, jokes and opinions. He was a going concern and we are sure he will be sadly missed. Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. Wishing you peace and many happy memories.
With love Barbara Brady-Fryer and Brian Fryer
My thoughts are with all of you,and especially to Marj,and to Bryan and Gillian and their children.A sad time for all of you.I couldn’t help noticing that Dick shared a birthday with my late husband,Shaun(July 16)I share your loss
I want to express my sincere condolences on the passing of Dick, he was an exceptional dentist with a larger than life personality. He lived his life to the fullest and he will be deeply missed.
We want to express our deep sadness at hearing of Dick’s passing. He was a wonderful man and great neighbour and we really missed him and Marj after they left Windermere. Our deepest condolences to Marj and the family.
Our deepest condolences to the entire Sandilands family for the sudden loss of Dick. We have many memories to cherish of family celebrations & time spent together. Always in our hearts…..Andy & Jennifer Gobeil
Marj and family, our heartful and sincere condolences to you. We are very sad about Dick’s passing. Dick was a great neighbour that we trusted, and we were fortunate to have Dick as our neighbour. We will miss Dick a lot. Our love and thoughts are with you Marj.
Love, Bill, Joanna and Richard
Dear Marj, Kathy, Bryan and Families,
I was very sorry to hear of Dick’s sudden passing. In high school, he was everyone’s friend and his charisma extended throughout his life. My deepest sympathy and warmest thoughts are with you at this very sad time.
Take care,
Dianne Gillespie
Dear Marj, Kathryn, Bryan and families, I was so sorry to hear of Dick’s passing. I remember living in the same little apartment building when we first got married and you and I walking to work together. Dick was our dentist for all those years, too. He was always lots of fun.You were married 56 years, same as we were when I lost Norm. It is a long time, to be thankful for, but never long enough. My love and thoughts are with you and the family. With deepest sympathy,
Marilou Wells Neufeld