Henry "Hal" Sandkuhler passed away at home unexpectedly on January 12, 2023.  Hal was a wonderful husband and best friend to his wife Gwen.  He has missed her every day since she passed last year and now can be reunited with her in heaven.  He was a loving and caring father and grandfather, his family was most important to him.

Hal was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana on December 23 ^rd , 1947 to Henry and Norma Jean Sandkuhler.  Hal was the second oldest of three children.  He was preceded in death by his wife Gwen,  his older brother, Steve, his father, Henry, his mother Norma Jean, his father-in-law Arthur Gutmann, his brother-in-law, Roger Gutmann, his sister-in-law, Carol Gutmann, and his brother-in-law, John Ginter. He will be loved and deeply missed by his younger brother Marc (Kathy) Sandkuhler, his brother and sisters-in-law, Janel (Doug) Harber and Marylyn Ginter, his three sons Scott (Jenny) Sandkuhler, Brian (Heather) Sandkuhler, Kevin (Sarah) Sandkuhler, his nine grandchildren, Marissa, Claire, Jeffrey, Jared, Connor, Andrew, Lincoln, McKinley, and Preston, and many other nieces, nephews and relatives.

Hal graduated from Elmhurst High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and married his high school sweetheart, Gwen.  Hal attended and graduated from Carthage College in Kenosha.  He and Gwen got married while he was still finishing school. While going to school full time, he also worked full time in a foundry to support his family and pay for school.  Soon after graduation he moved his family back to Indiana and Ohio for a few years before returning to Racine to work at J.I. Case corporation for most of his career as a manufacturing engineer.

Hal loved the outdoors taking the family on camping and fishing vacations when the family was young.  As the boys got older, they all joined the boy scouts.  Soon after the boys started scouting, Hal became an assistant scoutmaster later taking on the role of Scoutmaster of Troop 222. He was also very active in the Order of the Arrow in the Mascoutens Lodge.  The time he was able to spend with his boys in scouting was invaluable. His best memories come from the trips he took with his boys to Philmont Scout Ranch and the Boundary Waters Canoe Base.

After getting the boys out of the house, Hal and Gwen decided to fill their livers with adventure. They were members of the 5 ^th Street Yacht Club where they pursued their passion for boating.  He made many lifelong friendships with members at the club going on boating trips alone and with others to club events.  He and Gwen went across the lake and as far as Sturgeon Bay.  Hal and Gwen took trips to France, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Panama, Hawaii, and Alaska.  Together they were always busy, whether it was going to casinos, visiting family, or chasing after her grandkids while they played sports.  Hal loved his family time and didn't want to miss a minute of it.

Those that knew Hal, know he was never short of words and could carry on a conversation with just about anyone anywhere.  He just loved socializing with others.  He loved being around people and most importantly his family.

Hal had a hard couple of years taking care of Gwen and watching as she slipped away.  Worse than that was the time after she was gone.  The last year had been difficult suffering from a broken heart.  He is deeply loved and will be missed.

Family and friends are invited to meet in the Draeger-Langendorf Home and Crematory on Thursday, January 26, 2023, for a visitation from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.  A service celebrating and honoring Hal and Gwen's lives will follow at 6:00 p.m.  A private interment will take place in Mound Cemetery.

Memorials can be sent to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, Children's Wisconsin-Milwaukee Hospital, or ASPCA.  Please leave condolences online at www.draeger-langendorf.com.

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