Arthur Sandeen's Obituary
Arthur Sandeen died September 21, 2024. Born in 1938 in Chicago, he was educated in the public schools of Hinsdale, Illinois, and graduated with a B.A. from Miami University (Ohio) in 1960, where he lettered in tennis for three years and was president of his fraternity, Phi Delta Theta. He married Sue Swezey of Lafayette, Indiana, in 1961. After 63 years of marriage, Sue died in 2024. He earned his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in 1962 and 1965 from Michigan State University. He served in student affairs positions at Michigan State until 1967 and then as Dean of Students at Iowa State University from 1967-
73. From 1973-1999, he was the Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of Florida. From 1999-2010, he served as Professor of Higher Education at UF.
He is survived by his daughters Sara Kennedy (Walt) of St. Augustine, Florida, and Anne Schatz (Steve) of Marietta Georgia, and by his grandchildren Katherine Kennedy, Jack Schatz, Walter Carl Kennedy, Claire Schatz, and David Kennedy. His sister, Wanda Jones of Naperville, Illinois, and his brother Dr. John Sandeen, of Prescott, Arizona, also survive, as do numerous nieces and nephews.
Sandeen was the author of 8 books, 46 published articles in professional journals, and 26 chapters in edited books. He was elected president of the National Association of Student Affairs Administrators in 1977, was a Fulbright Scholar in Germany in 1982, and completed the Institute for Educational
Management program at Harvard University in 1984. He served as a consultant to more than 20 colleges and universities, and, in his retirement, served as a volunteer mediator in the local courts and as an adviser in the UF Fulbright Program Among several recognitions, Sandeen was most proud of being named the Martin Luther King "Keeper of the Dream" awardee in Gainesville in 1998
He was a long-time squash player, fly fisherman, Chicago Cubs fan, and reader of Civil War history. He and his family thank Dr. Zev Wajsman for his excellent medical care and concern..
A brief service will be held on Sunday, September 29, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at Williams-Thomas Funeral Home, 404 N. Main St, Gainesville.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dr. C. Arthur Sandeen Endowment for Student Affairs at the University of Florida, established in 1999 in his honor to support student programs and activities.
What’s your fondest memory of Arthur?
What’s a lesson you learned from Arthur?
Share a story where Arthur's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Arthur you’ll never forget.
How did Arthur make you smile?

