Alex Sandyk

What will you remember most?

I’ll never forget the feeling of being with him on horseback. There was a specific time he lifted me up to ride with him, and in that moment, I felt entirely safe. Beyond the rides, I remember his hands always working, always creating. He once constructed an entire engine just to pump water for the house. He had a brilliant, practical mind that saw solutions where others saw problems.

Horse riding with grandpa

If you could tell them one thing today…

I want you to know how much I admired your ingenuity and your character. You taught me that you don't need a diploma to be wise, and that being someone people can rely on is one of the greatest legacies a person can leave behind. Thank you for the rides, for the lessons, and for always being my hero

My favorite photos

Childhood memory of grandfather bringing Kinder Surprises.

The heavy tread of his boots on the porch meant he had arrived. He never just handed over the Kinder Surprise; he leaned in, eyes twinkling with a secret. "I bumped into the Rabbit today," he’d whisper. "He was in a hurry, but he stopped and said, 'Give this to the little one. She’s been good.' " I didn't care about the chocolate. I cared that he had spoken to the Rabbit. He didn't just give me a treat; he gave me a world where magic was real and I was part of the story. Years later, I don't remember the toys, but I still feel the warmth of that secret, and the absolute certainty that I was watched over and known.

My grandfather did not have a car; he rode his bicycle until his last day