Tom Sandel obituary

Published on January 4th, 2010

By KARIN SANDEL ELLZEY

Tom Sandel, longtime general manager of Rapp's Dutch Harbor facility, passed away Dec. 9, 2009 in Seattle. In every way, Tom had been the face of Rapp Hydema to countless fishermen since 1992. Tom battled cancer admirably enduring more than a year of hardship.

Tom Sandel II was born in Austin, Texas on March 4, 1953. Tom felt that his early life was strongly influenced and enriched by his father, T. T. Sandel Sr., whose work was on the cutting edge of new technological and scientific advances at MIT in Boston and Washington University in St. Louis.

As a young man, Tom spent one year at Washington University and later attended classes at the University of Oregon. Attempting to become a professional musician, he played with a jazz group named the Colors. But subsequent travels took him northward, through Canada and into Alaska, where he became interested in outdoor careers. Tom was attracted to a great challenge-that of learning self-reliance and subsistence in nature. He worked as a logger while learning to hunt and trap as well.

Then Tom found his true calling in the fishing industry of Dutch Harbor. In the mid-1980s, Tom worked for Trident Seafoods and Icicle Seafoods; he worked as Chief Engineer on the P/Vs Bering Star, Discovery Star, Evening Star and Arctic Star. He became the Chief Engineer of power plant operations at Alyeska Seafoods and later was instrumental in helping develop and engineer Alyeska's first-ever Surimi Plant. Next, he became first Chief Engineer of the F/V Storm Petrel. Then, in 1992, he became the Operations Manager for Rapp Hydema at the newly-opened Dutch Harbor facility.

Tom will be best remembered as the heart of Rapp's Dutch Harbor effort. Tom was on the front lines during the early days, when the new American factory-trawler fleet went through its growing pains on the way to becoming the greatest and most productive fishery in the world. For Tom, executing reliable spares and service support for this fleet were crucial. Facing a myriad of challenges on his fleet's front lines, Tom fielded customer calls at all hours of the night, rushed spares up from Seattle, and scrambled aboard countless vessels with parts deliveries amidst the pre-"A" season rush.

Later, Tom played a key role in expanding Rapp's business. Eventually winning support of Rapp's leadership, Tom orchestrated the acquisition and move into today's facility, on Airport Beach Drive.

Tom also took the initiative in reaching out to new customers in the longline trade, arranging cooperative efforts with Mustad to service sheaves and other equipment. And beyond a record of success in sales volume, Tom's vast contact base provided Rapp with many new customers and associates. More than this, several Rapp employees owe their employ to Tom's initial introduction. Tom held the utmost respect for the courageous and hardworking people he did business with daily. He genuinely loved his job and felt he had found the adventure he sought earlier in life.

In his off time, Tom loved food and cooking. He kept a gourmet kitchen, collected wine, prided himself in knowing fine foods and refined cultures worldwide. Tom was an avid collector of books and music, amongst other eclectic interests. An enthusiastic conversationalist with a keen mind, Tom loved to share his wealth of information on numerous topics with friends. He was known for his graciousness as a host that entertained by giving lavish gourmet dinner parties. He was renowned for his annual celebration of the new wine of the season, celebrating within 48 hours of the French Beaujolais Nouveau. Tom spared no expense serving up this posh party featuring rare cheeses, French pates, bouillon roasts, and of course a shipment of the finest red wine of the season. Tom had an undying interest in the fine arts and surrounded himself with musicians, artists, and craftsmen. Tom's personal contribution to art came through his love of cameras and photography. He spent many hours photographing nature and collecting cameras.

Tom was a fixture in the Dutch Harbor and Seattle fishing communities. Fittingly, photos of Tom adorn the walls at Chinook's Restaurant in Seattle's Fisherman's Terminal, joining those of other seasoned fishermen. Tom's ability to work with fishing customers was renowned and his capacities were diverse, with experience in engineering, power plant operation, refrigeration, and hydraulics--but his main love was working with people, so sales came naturally. He had a very personal approach with people as he developed an astute understanding of the fishing industry. He was known for a sharp mind coupled with a dose of sardonic wit.

As Tom's health deteriorated, the Dutch Harbor fighting spirit that served him well earlier still burned bright. He persisted well past his doctor's forecasted date of demise; and even as he experienced increasing debility, he fought to contribute as a senior adviser and sage to Rapp staff. Amazingly, prior to the onset of his terminal illness, he never missed a day's work.

Tom was preceded in death by his father, T.T. Sandel Sr. in 1983; his daughter, Ingrid in 1984 and his first wife, Martha Graham in July 2009. He leaves behind two sons, Wesley and Aidan of Unalaska; a grandchild, Sean Avery of Unalaska; his ex-wife Carolyn Reed of Unalaska; his mother, Katherine Sandel of St. Louis; a brother, David Sandel of St. Louis; and two sisters, Martha Haimo of Ra'anana, Israel, and Karin Ellzey of Round Rock, Texas.

We will miss your sense of humor and steadfast presence; rest peacefully.

A Memorial Service for Tom will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 10, at the United Methodist Church in Unalaska. Tom's family has asked that donations in Tom's memory be sent in his name, to the Fisherman's Memorial Foundation PO Box 17356, Seattle WA 98127. Correspondence can be sent C/O Carolyn Reed PO Box 198 Unalaska, Alaska 99685.