Dennis L. Sandvig

Dennis Sandvig, age 71, of Birch Bay, passed away Friday, April 4, 2014, at Whatcom Hospice House after a long battle with cancer.
He was born to Leslie & Jessie Sandvig on November 19, 1942 in Tacoma, WA. Denny grew up at Lake Cushman, WA, attending school in Hoodsport and Shelton. He graduated from WWSC in Bellingham in 1966. In 1965, he met Carol Ennen at WWSC and they married in 1966. They just celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary on March 20, 2014. Dennis went on to teach one year at Jason Lee Junior High School in Vancouver, WA. After 5 years active duty with the U.S. Navy, he and his wife and 2 children moved back to Bellingham, and he enjoyed a 20 year career teaching wood and metal shop, drafting, math, and aviation at Sehome High School. Denny loved his students and teaching.

Denny was proud to serve his country in the US Navy as a Navy pilot, and was a Vietnam Veteran. In his 20 years serving in the Navy Reserves out of NAS Whidbey Island he was able to fly to destinations in Europe and Asia, retiring from the Navy Reserves as a Commander.

Dennis was a commercial fisherman for many years in our local area, teaching his son, Eric, from an early age, to be a Gillnet fisherman. He was also a business owner of Grandview Manufacturing, where he produced and sold his invention, The Slider.

Dennis had a great love for the outdoors, where he enjoyed hiking and was an avid skier at Mt. Baker, where he most recently skied and snowboarded with his daughter-in-law, Donna and his Granddaughter, Erika. He and Carol also loved to vacation in Hawaii, exploring, scuba diving and boogieboarding in Kauai and Oahu.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Carol; his son, Eric (Donna) Sandvig of Bellingham; his daughter, Kristen (Travis) Toms of Seattle; and his sister, Julie Baze of Cashmere. He is also survived by his four beloved grandchildren: Erika Sandvig, Kyle Sandvig, Julian Toms, Kalia Toms.
A memorial service will be held to celebrate his life, on Saturday, April 26 at 2 p.m. at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Bellingham.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to:

Whatcom Hospice Foundation, 2901 Squalicum Parkway, Bellingham, WA 98225

Interfaith Coalition of Whatcom County, 2401 Cornwall Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225