If were unable to attend you can see the service and slideshow Here.
Sandy’s family invites you to add your photos and stories HERE.
A loving grandfather
Dad was always up for anything and took joy in making this grandchildren happy. Shown here with my kids with then were young. Aubrey, a budding baker, Sarah, my outdoor lover on the swing, and Uli who’d take on whatever big sisters could do, on the monkey bars.
by: Jennifer Knapp, daughter
Whatever our activities, whatever we needed, Dad was always there for us and clearly happy to do so. He loved being a husband, father, and grandfather. What others might consider a duty was a source of joy for him.
Dad loved people and laughter. It brought him great happiness to see happiness in others. He led by example, not by lectures. He preferred working quietly and steadily, not being the center of attention. He loved ministering to people one-on-one, where he could get to know people, more than preaching to a congregation.
Dad was special. He was a wonderful example of the steady, unwavering power of love. Andrew Smith, son
I could not have asked for a more kind, caring, and fun Father-in-Law. One of the many things I loved about Sandy was his sense of humor. It was subtle and witty, whereas mine is bold and not-so-subtle. I thought we blended well together. This picture, although not framed very well, is to me, the epitome of his sense of fun. My daughter Ailsa, Sandy’s granddaughter, had gotten up from the table, so we took a fast, silly, selfie, for her to find later. I remember he said, “Oh! That’s fun! Where do I look?” and I took it quickly, while he chuckled softly.
Great memory of a lovely man.
Another fun memory: As many of you may know, Pat & Sandy enjoyed coming out here to Massachusetts to spend time by the sea, on Cape Cod. One their favorite restaurants was called The Lobster Claw. We had a tradition that our first and last dinners during our vacation week would be at “the Claw”. We would get there so we could enjoy the Early Bird Special, which included a cup of their amazing clam chowder and ice cream dessert. Sandy always ordered the Bluefish and a baked potato, and I have fond memories of watching him and Pat thoroughly enjoying their fresh seafood. Our dinner was always followed by a walk along our favorite Nauset Beach. They would put on their jackets, and happily sit on one of the benches, watching Andy and Ailsa walk in the surf.
Karin Smith, daughter-in-law
When I think about Sandy, I automatically think also about Pat. Pat and Sandy. Sandy and Pat. They were a team. If you asked for one, you usually got two and what a blessing that was! In my mind, your parents were a team forever linked together. Lucy and Desi… Romeo and Juliette… Sandy and Pat. Jennifer, you were so fortunate to have two parents that loved each other and loved just being together.
Words that come to mind when I think of Sandy are KINDNESS and GENTLE SPIRIT and SOFT SPOKEN. At the same time, he was a person of STRENGTH and INTEGRITY. He may have expressed himself with gentleness and softness, but I considered him a man of inner strength and firm resolve always seeking to do the right thing.
The house that Sandy and Pat built together was truly a home. Their home was always open to receiving strangers like me who might come knocking on their door. 
It was a home filled with energy and love and creativity. That creativity sometimes manifested itself with dirty dishes in the sink and stacks of books and papers on the table because they were always planning their next adventure or solving the next problem they faced. But their home reflected their hearts… hearts of kindness, and creativity and deep faith. I was always amazed at how active these two pilgrims were well into their senior years. They were traveling here and there, visiting folks in hospitals and/or senior centers and active in their church and neighborhood. They built a home where love was spoken. Now Sandy has crossed over to his heavenly home where God embraces all with His amazing grace and LOVE!
Jim Fiedler:
Pastor Emeritus
Grace Community Fellowship
Jim was the youth pastor at Westhills where he worked with Andrew, Jennifer, and Carey.
Gina and I are so sorry to hear of Sandy’s passing. Sandy was such a wonderful gentle giant of a man. His ability to listen and encourage served as an outstanding example to many men including me. Like so many, Sandy and Pat touched our lives through time at Sunset Hills Baptist Church in Omaha. But it is the time, through his services as a volunteer Chaplin at UNMC that Sandy’s love and tenacity effected our family as well.
My mother had a long lost uncle who while serving in the USN at Pearl Harbor was injured and feared lost on Dec 7, 1941. Returning home with long term effects on his own life, Raymond ultimately found himself in and out of touch with mom’s family eventually ending up as a John Doe patient at UNMC following an emergency surgery. Unable to speak, write or otherwise communicate himself, Sandy researched this mans history for many days only to approach me at church one Sunday morning asking if I was related to a Raymond Hunacek. Realizing this was my mothers lost track of relative, I raced my mother to the hospital and were reunited. We were able to contact other family and help our relative that needed it so. Sandy through his own efforts made this possible and although I often thanked him. I never knew how he accomplished this.
This is only one example of how Sandy was a gentle and kind friend. I will always remember his encouragement and his soft but powerful voice the many years he would sing at Sunset Hills. To Pat and Sandy’s entire family, our condolences and gratitude for sharing this wonderful friend with so many of us. We love you Sandy.
Bob & Gina, friends from Sunset Hills
We feel so blessed that we were able to see Sandy and visit with him in the past few weeks. We will always remember him as you described — dignified, thoughtful, thankful, caring and worrying about others, and accenting his sense of humor with that wry little smile. I’m so glad that you decided to join Countryside and sing in our Chancel Choir. I will very much miss sitting beside Sandy, visiting and singing at our Wednesday evening rehearsals and on Sunday mornings in the choir loft. I felt privileged to occasionally feel his hand grasp my arm as we walked into the chancel or to help him find his cane after the service was over. Choir will not be the same for me without him.
Laurel and Twila, friends from Countryside Church
I got to know Sandy during the 10 years I served as Executive Minister of the American Baptist Churches of Nebraska. His calm, steady personality calmed many challenges. His gentle humor “seasoned” many meetings and discussions. I was very, very grateful for his ministry and his presence among us. I thank God for Sandy’s life.
Susan Gillies, American Baptist Churches denominational leadership
I met Pat and Sandy only a couple of years ago at Countryside Community Church. After the 9am Sunday service, a small group of us new people would gather in the Coffee Commons area drinking our coffee and sharing stories and laughs. Sandy used to tease Pat about her “fru-fru” coffee- a creation topped with foamy milk. But the love they had for each other was so easily seen and felt. It made me feel good just to witness it. He’ll be missed.
Sarah, Countryside Community Church
I remember Sandy as a chaplain at the Med Center. He was always so kind as he talked with patients. He came a lot to the floor that I worked on. He knew me by name and we had many conversations together. What a dear man who loved Jesus!
Beth, University Nebraska Medical Center
Sandy and Pat were so very special to our family. They showed unconditional love and acceptance to all. We will miss Sandy and his gentle, quiet way.
Ron and Denise, Sunset Hills Church
Indeed, to Allah we belong and to Allah we shall return. With a heavy heart I write you this letter after the passing of your dear husband and our dear friend Sandy Smith. He was a wonderful Person who accepted me as a a part of his family. He took care of me during the loneliest days of my life when I was studying as a young foreign student at the University of Nebraska over four decades ago. 
I was a naive and homesick person, but he gave me the strength that I badly needed at the time. I will never forget when he picked us up from the airport when I brought my wife to America in 1982. His generosity to all foreign students was evident when we would gather on Thanksgiving dinner table with students from Brazil, Afghanistan and other countries. His frequent visits to our home in Californian and coming all the way to my son’s wedding will always be in our sweet memories.
Please accept our deepest condolences from me, my wife, and our children . May Almighty give you strength during this difficult time and may Sandy’s soul rest in peace. We share your grief. Stay Strong.
Amin, Gul Ghotai, Moosa, Ibrahim, Meena and Haroon
Your parents were remarkable community partners at a time when we needed them most – – a time when UNO was developing its global focus and increasing the number of international participants.
Your parents were leaders among Omahans in helping us welcome thousands of people to our campus and city. Their generosity made it possible for UNO to become a leader in teaching students from all around the world.
I retired in 2015. Merry Ellen, with whom your Mother worked very closely, also retired a few months later. We and our colleagues would hold up the example of how your parents represented the best in Omaha hospitality to others from around the world.
Please accept my sincerest condolences.
Warmest regards, Tom
I would often have friendly chats with Sandy & Pat after service. I never told him but Sandy has been a role model of kindness, love and humility-knowing I’ll never attain his level. Whether he spoke about travels to visit their children and grandchildren, kind words about my piano-playing or concern for my family, I always felt better and more hopeful after hearing his sincere and gentle words with that loving smile!!!
Momoro: friend from Sunset Hills Church
As you celebrate Sandy’s life this Saturday, please know that while we will not be able to join you in person, I will join the livestream and be with you in spirit. And, beyond the memorial service, we will all keep you in our prayers and hold you in our hearts as we grieve the loss of this wonderful saint.
On behalf of the entire International Ministries family, I pray that you will feel God’s presence each and every day and that God will hold you and sustain you in the coming days, weeks, and months.
With prayers of comfort,
Zofia Dripps, Assoc. Executive Director for Mission Advancement
along with Marc Kirchoff, Donor Advisor
and Rev. Sharon Koh, Executive Director / CEO for International Ministries. http://www.internationalministries.org
We were so fortunate in our lives to call Sandy, friend.
Through the years of serving together at Sunset Hills Baptist church.
We learned so much about servanthood through his example.
We also benefited by his ministry as he preached in the absence of our sitting Pastors, taught Sunday School, served on our church Ministry boards in various capacities. He and Pat were the first ones there for church workdays. No job was beneath them!
We were blessed by his gift as a chaplain as he visited Deanne’s bedside at Lakeside, Methodist and at home as she battled Multiple Sclerosis bouts. He always exuded calm and peace to situations that could be quite scary. He was so gifted at bringing us gently back to Christ and to God’s word for us in those moments. We are forever blessed by him and his ministry in our lives. We know he was instrumental in bringing many into God’s kingdom. We remain in awe of His life and extremely thankful for how he touched our lives! In loving memories to his wife Pat, children, and grandchildren he will never be forgotten. Thank you for sharing your husband, Father and Grandfather with us.
Our love and sympathy goes out to all of you as you grieve and delight in the legacy he has left you.
Mark and Deanne: Members of Sunset Hills Church
Pat,
My heart sank when I heard about Sandy. Since the first phone call we had in 2017, there’s a fondness for you both and your kind heart for God’s work around the world. May God be your comfort and peace at this time and bless you abundantly for your kindness from those around the world that have been served because of your kindness.
Zofia Dripps
Assoc. Executive Director for Mission Advancement
International Ministries
Sandy’s family invites you to add your photos and stories HERE.
Sanford V Smith 