Ronald D. Sando

Ronald Sando, 83, of Bismarck, ND passed away peacefully on April 8, 2024 with his family at his residence in Laguna Woods, CA. Cremation has taken place.

Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 PM, Friday, May 17, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Pkwy, Bismarck. A time for gathering will begin at 7:00 PM.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, May 18, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 106 Osage Ave, Bismarck.

Ron was born in Grafton, ND, on July 5, 1940. He was the oldest of five children. Ron graduated from Grafton High School in 1958. He attended Denver University, University of Colorado, and University of North Dakota where he graduated in January1965 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering.

On March 29, 1961, Ron married the love of his life Karen Sue Knutson. They were blessed with two sons, Todd Shane and Bradley Allen. Karen was his life partner, and Ron was renowned for sharing with everyone that she was the best thing that ever happened to him. Ron and Karen spent six decades together and recently celebrated their 63rd anniversary. 

Ron's father instilled in him a work ethic that stayed with him his entire life. He embraced hard work with tireless commitment from his first lawn care business to his passion in Water Resource Engineering. He worked for the USDA Soil Conservation Service where he carried out various engineering roles that landed him as the State Conservation Engineer. He retired from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service as the Assistant State Conservationist where he led numerous programs. 

Ron traveled across the country teaching engineering and professional development courses along with conducting workshops in a variety of program areas. Ron designed and supervised hundreds of projects. He received multiple awards for his work and was most proud when his peers recognized him with the prestigious North Dakota Water Users Hall of Fame. He was a registered professional engineer in North Dakota for 50 years. Upon retiring from government service, Ron continued to participate in his water resource consulting and his work for the Bismarck Parks and Recreation Department. 

Ron was an avid sportsman. He loved to hunt, fish, golf, lawn bowl, and watch his sons and grandsons play sports. When Todd and Brad were young, the family spent summers at Grace Lake, MN where waterskiing, fishing, and golfing were always on the agenda. Ron skied for the last time with his sons and grandsons when he was 76 years old.

Ron was a life member of Elks Lodge 1199, a member of Toastmasters International, and was the current past president of the Laguna Woods Lawn Bowling Club. He was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Bismarck and an associate member of the Lutheran Church of the Cross in Laguna Woods, CA. Ron was baptized and confirmed at the Grafton Lutheran Church. He believed God blessed him with a great life and is now waiting for Karen on the other side.

Ron is survived by his wife, Karen; sons and their wives, Todd (Lunette) and Bradley (Terri); and grandsons, Bradley, Nicholas, and Derek; brother Robert Sando; sisters, Linda Goulet, Debra Sando, and Karen (DuWayne) Walz; brother-in-law Ronald Knutson; and many special and talented nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Norris and Roseanne (Thomas) Sando.