Sanders Hb Hook

Sanders H.B. Hook Sandy, of Onalaska died Sunday, May 26, 2013, of esophageal cancer. He persevered for 18 months before succumbing in his home with his family by his side.Sandy was born on June 5, 1939, in Mason City, Iowa. He along with his brother Steve, and parents, Henry and Ruth Hook, moved to Davenport, Iowa in 1953. Sandy graduated from Davenport High School in 1957 and continued his education earning a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Colorado. He was awarded an NROTC College Scholarship and served four years in the United States Marine Corps, earning the rank of Captain.On June 20, 1964, Sandy married Eleanor Ellie Lischer in Davenport, Iowa. Together they had three children, Rusty Hook (Camille) of Boulder, Colo., Julie Ball (Matt) of Denver, Colo., and Katie Abbott (Ryan) of Boulder. Sandy is further survived by seven grandchildren, Courtney, Charlie, and Jeremy Hook; Nate and Emmett Ball; and Reid and Audrey Abbott. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.In addition to his parents Sandy was preceded in death by his brother Steven P. Hook, his mother-in-law Edith Lischer, stepmother-in-law Jeanne Flynn Lischer, father-in-law Henry (Ben) Lischer, and brother-in-law Mike Lischer.Hooks entire 30-year career as a newspaperman was with Lee Enterprises, starting in 1965 in advertising at the Quad City Times in Davenport, Iowa. He transferred to the La Crosse Tribune a year later where he worked in the circulation, editorial and accounting departments before advancing to systems coordinator in 1970 and general manager in 1973.Throughout the next decade, Hook worked as general manager and publisher at the Bismarck Tribune in North Dakota and as publisher of the Herald & Review in Decatur, Ill. before returning to La Crosse Tribune as publisher in 1987 and as newspaper group manager in 1990. He retired in 1995.Sandy and Ellie enjoyed spending winters with many dear friends in Bonita Springs, Fla., and also regularly visited Colorado where all three of their children and families live. He loved being a husband, father, and grandfather more than anything else. His other passions included playing golf, attending Wisconsin Badger football games, yearly baseball trips with good friends, fishing trips to Canada. and traveling the world with Ellie.A true gentleman, Sandy was a man of honesty, integrity, and honor. He made every day a good day. He taught his family and many friends how to live well and how to die gracefully. We have all been so blessed to have had such a husband, father, grandfather, and friend.Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday June 4, at the 1st Congregational Church United Church of Christ, in La Crosse. A reception will follow.In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be given to: The LaCrosse YMCA, or The Gundersen Cancer Center.