Herbert F. Sandmire

Dr. Herbert F. Sandmire passed away on February 24, 2018 at home in Green Bay, WI. He was born in Richland Center, WI in 1929 to Lois Bernadine Patch Sandmire and Carl Glen Sandmire. He grew up on farms with his parents and eight siblings until they moved to Cottage Grove to be nearer the University of WI, Madison, so the children could go to college if they chose. He attended Cottage Grove grade school, East High School in Madison and then the University of WI Madison where he also obtained his medical degree in 1953. He had three years of service time in the U.S. Air Force (1953-1956) and at age 25 he served as chief of Ob Gyn at Ladd Air Force base hospital in Fairbanks, Alaska where they delivered 125 babies per month. This time was followed by his OB-GYN residency at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City. He joined Dr. Stephen Drake Austin in the practice of obstetrics and gynecology in Green Bay in 1959. He has delivered over 11,000 babies. Dr. Sandmire has been a courageous and loyal advocate for women's rights.

He was a clinical professor at the University of Wisconsin while having his practice in Green Bay. More than 700 practicing physicians in the United States have had part of their training or post-graduate fellowship experience under his direction in Green Bay. His life-long belief was: to be a physician is to be a teacher!

Dr. Sandmire has been an Editorial Consultant for eight medical journals. Despite a busy practice he found time to author 47 peer reviewed research publications, many of which concerned shoulder dystocia, macrosomia and cesarean birth. His first publication was in 1956 and the latest 53 years later in 2010. In addition, 27 of his letters to the editors of obstetric journals have been published. He has lectured extensively in this country and abroad, on 95 occasions since 1978, including a lecture to the French National College of Gynecology and Obstetrics in Paris in December of 2010. In addition, in the year 2005, by invitation, he gave Grand Rounds lectures on "Erbs Palsy with and without shoulder dystocia" at both of the Wisconsin Medical Schools.

It was his privilege to be the recipient of 19 State, National and International, prestigious awards for work in his field and in the community. For the 18th award (The ACOG National Distinguished Service Award), Dr. Sandmire was selected from 50,000 obstetrician members. This award was presented in San Francisco in May 2010 at the Annual American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Clinical meeting. His first award had been the 1st place residents' papers award at the ACOG District VI annual meeting in 1958 at Des Moines, Iowa. He and his wife Crystal recently received the Chancellor's Award at University of Wisconsin Green Bay, WI.

During the last 33 years, before his retirement in 2010, Dr. Sandmire had been a defense expert witness, on behalf of physicians and nurses, in 442 legal claims, has given 143 depositions and testified at trial 61 times. The most distant legal case was venued in Melbourne, Australia.

Following his retirement from his Green Bay practice Herb authored his memoir entitled "Making a Difference, One Man's journey."

In spite of such a busy professional practice he always found time for his family. He was a coach for Little League for his three boys for 15 years and later the sons helped him coach younger boys while his wife and daughters cheered them on.

Herb and his wife Crystal traveled extensively all over the world. They have visited all 50 states and many countries including many Eastern European countries before the Wall came down, Austria, Italy, Greece, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Denmark, Sweden, Venezuela, Peru, Argentina, Brazil, Singapore, China, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, France, Guatemala, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean Islands. Whenever possible the whole family accompanied them. On the trip to Paris in December 2010 he invited all the women in his family to accompany him. They all agreed the trip was magical for them, especially the festive banquet in the Eiffel Tower where Dr. Sandmire was inducted as a member in honor into Le College National Des Gynecologues et Obstetricians Francais. His contributions as a practicing physician, clinical researcher, academic professor and legal expert were all cited. Twice he took all his children, their spouses and the grandchildren on a cruise to Alaska. There were numerous trips to Maui with the whole family and at times including their extended bridge club members. Herb and Crystal also took several cross country motorcycle trips.

Surviving are his wife of 67 years, Crystal, and his five children: Cheryl Sandmire, Boise, Idaho; Yvonne (Cary Hattabaugh) Sandmire, Boise Idaho; Kevin (Karen Budic) Sandmire, Green Bay, WI; Michael (Lisa Brown) Sandmire, Portland, OR; and David (Beth Weir) Sandmire, Kennebunk, ME. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren, Trevor, Spencer and Tyler, Boise, ID; Kyle (Kim Hameister) Sandmire and Kurt Sandmire, Green Bay, WI; Andrew, Cameron and Malcolm Sandmire, Portland, OR and Alec and Crystal Sandmire, Kennebunk, ME.

Also surviving are his sister, Janet Sandmire Frost of Granite City, IL., a sister-in-law, Valerie of Madison, WI., and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by siblings Jim Sandmire, Cardell Sandmire Tadder, Corinne Sandmire Seago, Cameron Glen Sandmire, Arlis Sandmire, Janice Sandmire Uphoff and Lyle La Vaughn Sandmire.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials be made to the Herbert and Crystal Sandmire scholarship at UWGB 2420 Nicolet Dr. Green Bay 54311 or to the charity of your choice.

Thank you to all Home Instead caregivers who were wonderful and to Unity Hospice who helped to guide us through this difficult time.


In honor of Herb's request there will be no formal funeral service but a celebration of life will be held on August 12th at Heritage Hill Visitors' Center on Webster Ave. Green Bay, WI 54301. Details will be announced at a later date. All friends, relatives and colleagues will be welcomed.