In Passing

If you would like to submit an obituary for In Passing, please limit your submission to 400 words or less and submit it and a photo (if you have one) via email at editorial@robson.com or online at robsonpublishing.com/editorial.

Previous In Passing posts may be found here or by searching by name in the upper right-hand sidebar.

Samuel I. Horowitz

Samuel I. Horowitz

Samuel I. Horowitz

Samuel I. Horowitz, 79, died Aug. 18, 2025, in Rockville, Md., after a yearlong battle with leukemia. He and his wife, Lorna Michelson, were residents of SaddleBrooke for 14 years. Their marriage was 48 years strong.

A Celebration of Life for Sam will take place on Friday, Jan. 30, in the HOA1 Clubhouse at the Vermillion Room at 10 a.m. Sam’s son Daniel, a frequent visitor to SaddleBrooke, and his wife Kimmy Feinstein will be attending. Please feel free to share your reflections, stories, and memories of this truly warm, scholarly, and honorable man.

Additionally your thoughts and wishes for Lorna will be appreciated. Lorna has permanently relocated to a memory care facility in Tampa, Fla.

Sam was born on April 9, 1946, in New York City to Fayga Keidan Horowitz and Dr. A. David Horowitz. He grew up in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, before studying political science at City College of New York. Sam served in the Peace Corps in Guatemala, ran a college Hillel, lived on a kibbutz in Israel, led missions to provide relief to Jews in the USSR, and spent 35 years as a Jewish Federation professional.

Sam was a former chair of the board of the Institute for Judaic Services and Studies, now Congregation B’nai Midbar, and active in numerous clubs in SaddleBrooke, including Great Decisions, the Spanish Club, and the Democratic Club. An avid fan of civil rights activism, national parks, and various folk music traditions, Sam took many Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR) classes and even performed in the SaddleBrooke theater.

In addition to Lorna, Sam is survived by his sons Ari Horowitz (Heather Hall) of Land O’ Lakes, Fla., and Daniel Feinstein (Kimmy Feinstein) of Washington, D.C.; grandchildren Davina and Jeremiah Horowitz; and many in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends and family. Services and interment were held in Paramus, N.J., in August 2025.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Jewish World Service, ajws.org, in honor of Sam’s lifelong passions for Judaism, human rights, and international development.

Jim Reichard

Jim Reichard

Jim Reichard

With heavy hearts, we announce the unexpected passing of James (Jim) Reichard on Aug. 2, 2025. Jim, 76, died peacefully at home comforted by wife Lydia (Lyd), his high school sweetheart and beloved wife of 57 wonderful years.

Born Feb. 27, 1949, Jim was the treasured son of Mae Rose (Tezak) and William Reichard. He grew up in Muskego, Wis. A graduate of John Marshall High School, Jim attended MATC and General Motors School for Mechanics.

Deeply connected to friends and business associates in Milwaukee, Jim began his career as an auto mechanic advancing to General Manager of Service for one of the largest dealerships in the city. Jim opened Reichard Motors with his father, becoming co-owner of three Yamaha and Honda dealerships. A talented computer programmer, Jim started JR’s Excavating, which he proudly turned over to grandson Brendon, retiring in 2013. Jim enjoyed hunting and silhouette shooting, competing, and shooting a perfect 40.

Moving to Arizona, Jim became a very active member of our SaddleBrooke Ranch (SBR) Community. An enthusiastic “jeeper,” he joined the board of SaddleBrooke’s Off Road Bunch (SOBs). He often called a jeep his desert snowmobile. Jim started the side-by-side RZR group at SBR. He enjoyed playing “Sheepshead,” a Wisconsin card game. Utilizing his computer skills, Jim designed and maintained Club Express websites for both the SaddleBrooke Jeep Club and Glasshoppers glass studio.

Cooking was Jim’s passion. He competed and judged for the Kansas City Barbeque Society, and enjoyed smoking brisket and ribs. He made homemade brats and sausage. His love of cooking centered around developing special recipes for Lydia, who suffers from Crohn’s. He always looked out for her and was Lydia’s personal chef.

Jim’s memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. Always ready to lend a hand, Jim’s energy was infectious. His warm heart, wit, and easygoing spirit touched so many people, along with his smile and the sparkle in his eyes.

Jim is survived by wife Lydia; daughter Michelle Ehlers (Rob); son Craig Reichard (Brandee); grandchildren Brendon, Danielle, Rachel, and Rylee; sister Judy Martin (Joe); and brothers John Reichard (Michelle), Jeff Reichard (Joann), and Jerry Reichard (Debbie).

A Celebration of Life will be held in Jim’s honor on Dec. 19, 2025. A light barbeque dinner will be served in the SBR Ballroom from 3 to 5 p.m. Please email Lydia by Dec. 10 if you plan on attending (pouchrat@gmail.com).

Edwin Harry Sand Jr.

Edwin Harry Sand Jr.

Edwin Harry Sand Jr.

Edwin Harry Sand Jr., 84, passed away peacefully on Aug. 1, 2025, surrounded by his family after a long and courageous journey with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s dementia.

Born in Ellendale, N.D., on March 11, 1941, Ed was the son of Edwin and Bernice Sand. He grew up working on the family farm, where he developed a lifelong love of music and baseball—both of which became central to his life’s work and passion.

Ed graduated with high honors from the University of North Dakota, earning both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Music Education. He went on to have a 40-year career as a dedicated music educator, including many years as the band director for the Osseo School District in Minnesota. His impact on generations of students and musicians is lasting and immeasurable.

At home, Ed was a loving and involved father and husband. He coached his sons’ baseball teams, took them to ski races and golf tournaments, and always prioritized time with his family. He and his beloved wife Susan enjoyed many happy years together. After 2009, they became snowbirds in Arizona until her passing on Jan. 1, 2010. In recent years, Ed remained active, spending time with friends, including a girlfriend, Georgie.

Ed is preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Bernice Sand, and his wife, Susan Sand.

He is survived by his sons:
Greg Sand, wife Carrie, and four children: Jack and Harrison (from a previous marriage), and Luca and Kinsley, Greg and Carrie’s children
Ryan Sand, wife Mariana, and their four children: Anabel, Sophia, Ryan, and Cody

Ed loved and cherished his eight grandchildren deeply. In later years, he enjoyed organizing music groups and playing with friends, continuing to share his gift of music well into retirement.

Ed’s life was a blessing to all who knew him. He was a kind, generous man devoted to family, faith, and music. His music and legacy will shine on for all eternity.

Messages may be sent to: marianaryansand@yahoo.com, 15649 Fountain Creek Ln, Edmond, OK 73013.

Richard Lee Gillaspie

Richard Lee Gillaspie was born on Jan. 14, 1954, to Jack and Betty (Walbrecht) Gillaspie. He passed away on June 6, 2025, at the age of 71, surrounded by his wife and daughter, after a courageous battle with glioblastoma.

Rick was born and raised in Corvallis, Ore., graduating Corvallis High School in 1972. He met the love of his life, Sheree, while playing pool in Bend, Ore. The two married a year later on April 4, 1981.

After honeymooning in Alaska, Rick and Sheree decided to move there. They bought a one-bedroom log cabin with no running water and no electricity and both worked as school bus drivers for the local school district. During their time in Alaska, they welcomed their daughter, Kelsey, in 1984.

Rick lived a life rich with adventure and passion. He loved traveling, diving, and especially fishing, which was his greatest joy. He traveled extensively to fish in remarkable places, including Belize, Argentina, Patagonia, Mexico, New Zealand, California, and Montana. Some of his favorite memories were made on South Twin Lake in Oregon, where he fished as a boy with his family, later with his daughter Kelsey, and most recently with his grandchildren, Brita and Levi.

An avid supporter of Oregon State University athletics, Rick was a devoted season ticket holder for football games for many years and never missed a chance to attend the baseball World Series games in Omaha, Neb.

Over their years together, Rick and Sheree made their home in Eugene, Ore.; Chicago, Ill.; Sisters, Ore.; Oracle, Ariz.; and Gardiner, Mont., where they made a multitude of loving friends wherever they went. While they lived in Sisters, Rick served six years as a Fire Corps Volunteer for the Sisters Camp Sherman Fire Department. His work with the department meant a lot to him.

Rick was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Larry Gillaspie. Those left to share the memories are his wife of 44 years, Sheree; his daughter Kelsey (and Tim) Lawrence; his two grandchildren, Brita and Levi Lawrence; his sister Patty (and Russ) Hescock and their families; and the many beloved friends he made over his lifetime.

A Celebration of Life will be held at FivePine Lodge in Sisters, Ore., on July 30 at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Rick’s name to the Yellowstone Native Fish Conservation Program at forever.yellowstone.org/campaign/664882/donate.