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Thayron A. Sandquist ’56

A picture of Thayron Sandquist

Thayron A. Sandquist ’56, January 14, 2012, at home in Parksville, B.C., Canada. Born and raised in Longview, Washington, Sandy became, at the age of 12, the youngest licensed ham radio operator in the U.S., building much of his own equipment. He won a scholarship from his high school to attend Reed. Deborah Hughes ’59 recalled sharing classes with Sandy under Richard Jones [history 1941–86]. “He was a very bright student of history and politics.” Sandy earned a BA in history from Reed and won a Fulbright to study at the London School of Economics. He completed an MA and PhD at the University of Toronto, where he taught until he retired in 1995. Sandy had a lifelong interest in bicycling. His cycle shop in Toronto, now operated by one of his sons, remains integral to the Toronto cycling community. Sandy introduced his wife, Stella Meades, to cycling and they made several trips in France and Spain; he completed the 1999 Paris-Brest-Paris bicycle ride in 90 hours. Sandy was a master craftsman and woodworker and an inventor and tinkerer. In retirement he designed and built a freestanding workshop, where he crafted model ships, toys, furniture, and other projects. Sandy and Stella designed and built a craftsman-style home and garden. Survivors include Stella and her three daughters, Sandy’s two sons and daughter, nine grandchildren, and his brother. His first wife, Geraldine Davis, and a daughter predeceased him.

Appeared in Reed magazine: June 2012