John E. Sandberg obituary

Dr. John E. Sandberg, who served as dean of Western Michigan University's College of Education for 13 years in the 1970s and 1980s, died Oct. 24 in Viera, Fla. He was 83.

Sandberg came to WMU as dean in 1971 and served in that role until 1983. He retired in 1986 with emeritus status but remained active in teacher evaluation research at the University. Under his guidance as dean, WMU established a doctoral program in educational leadership in Guam, and the college earned full accreditation by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. The Merze Tate Center for Research was developed during his tenure.

Prior to taking the lead of WMU's education programs, he served in Oregon for five years as deputy director of the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory in Portland.

Sandberg earned three degrees from Washington State University in 1951, 1952 and 1965. He also was awarded an honorary degree from the University of Guam in recognition of the work he did in that Pacific nation.

In 2005, WMU established a three-year professorship in Sandberg's honor, naming Dr. Jianping Shen of what was then the University's Department of Teaching, Learning and Leadership, to hold the position.

Following his retirement, Sandberg relocated to Bradenton Beach Fla., where he became active in the local community. In 2005 he and his wife Mollie, who survives, moved to Viera. Fla.