Richard Sandberg of Chelmsford

Richard A. Sandberg, of Chelmsford, formerly of Lexington, MA, age 93, passed away at his assisted living home at Benchmark/Chelmsford Crossings on January 28, 2025. Born in Somerville, MA to the late Arthur E. and Inez M. (Stingel) Sandberg, he was a brother to Phyllis Sandberg, Glenna Silva, Jean Tobey and Bruce Sandberg, all of whom predeceased him.

A graduate of Somerville High School, Richard was a proud U.S. Navy Veteran of the Korean War, serving as a signalman on the USS Wisconsin battleship. He also undertook training as a Navy dental assistant, and worked for a short time in this role. Not long after his military service, he applied to the U.S. Postal Service, where he worked repairing and maintaining postal machinery and equipment for many years until his retirement.

Richard loved the outdoors and greatly enjoyed a wide range of activities in his local community and around New England: golfing, bicycling, skiing, hiking, and fishing. A lifelong baseball fan, he became a knowledgeable student of the game, and was always happy to follow our hometown Boston Red Sox each season. He liked to read, learn, and talk about history — particularly American history, and he enjoyed a good game of cribbage too. Richard had a private demeanor, but he also liked to join in interesting conversations and go out to eat with friends, family and his Lexington neighbors. He was glad to generously give help to others, and he greatly appreciated and valued the warm care, love and friendship he received, especially as his health declined in the last years of his life. To the end, he was truly grateful to his doctors, nurses, health aides, and nearby family and friends who gave him their kind, attentive care and comfort.

He is survived by his sister-in-law, Nancy Sandberg of Charlton, MA; a cousin, Nancy Rourke of Lynden, WA, as well as next generation nieces and nephews – Janice (Silva) Lewis of Orland Park, IL; Frank Silva of Bozeman, MT; Lisa Silva of N. Chelmsford, MA; Brian Tobey of Franklin, MA; Gregg Tobey of Powhatan, VA; Carolyn (Sandberg) Gregoire of Westford, MA; Laura (Tobey) Wong of Fall River, MA; and a number of great & great-great nieces and nephews. Richard will be dearly missed by his family and friends, and remembered with warmth and love always.

A memorial service will be held in the spring of 2025 with close family and friends; date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in his memory to the National Kidney Foundation, the Hearing Health Foundation, the American Heart Association, the Cancer Research Institute, or a charity of your choice.