Obituaries - June 15

Paul spent his growing years in Glenwood, Pleasant Valley, and Goldendale, Wash. He was a hard worker and by the time he was 25 years old he was promoted to manager of the Safeway store in Cascade Locks. In 1940 he became manager of the Safeway in Hood River, Ore., and, except for the time he spent overseas in World War II, he remained there until his retirement in 1973.

In April of 1941 Paul enlisted in the Army and was stationed at McCord Field. He attended Officer’s Candidate School and received his commission as a Second Lieutenant. Paul served in India and Okinawa during the war.

In April of 1946 Paul completed his service with the Army and returned to Hood River and his job as manager at Safeway. He joined the Hood River Army reserve unit and eventually retired from the reserves having attained a rank of Lt. Colonel.

While stationed at McCord Field Paul met Louise Hruby. They were married Nov. 30, 1942. She died in 1988. In August 1944, Paul and Louise were blessed with their first child, a son, Larry. In January 1960 they had another son, Philip.

Paul was actively involved with the Hood River Lions Club for 59 years. He held many offices, including president and district governor. While he was district governor he started more Lions clubs than anyone else in North America. He established the Hood River Lions Charitable Foundation Trust which gives thousands of dollars annually to local civic projects. He was also directly involved in numerous local Lions community projects.

Paul was a longtime member of the Elks Club and the American Legion. He served on the Hood River City Council and after his retirement was the interim manager for the Hood River Chamber of Commerce.

Paul enjoyed hunting, fishing, skiing, golfing and bowling. He often took his grandchildren bowling. He owned a cabin near Mount Adams and spent many weekends entertaining family and friends there.

In 1989 Paul married Viva Smith. They enjoyed 16 years of retirement together.

Paul is survived by his wife; son Philip and his wife Gina; grandchildren, Aaron Sanstrum, Lynette Glass, Sheri Cunningham, Joshua, Sanstrum and Bethany Sanstrum; great-grandchildren, Victoria Cunningham, Madeline Sanstrum, Betsy Sanstrum, Andrew Sanstrum, Ethan Glass and Isaac Cunningham; and sisters Edna Callan and Kathryn Hays. Paul was preceded in death by his son, Larry Sanstrum.

A service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, June 17, at Anderson’s Tribute Center (Funerals-Receptions-Cremations), 1401 Belmont Rd, Hood River, OR 97031, (541) 386-1000, followed by a graveside committal at 2:30 p.m. at Mountain View Cemetery, Goldendale, Wash.

In Paul’s memory, remembrances may be made to the Hood River Lions Charitable Foundation Trust, P.O. Box 860, Hood River, OR 97031.