Tracy Arthur Sandow of Monroe, Louisiana, a retired chemical engineer, plant manager, and business consultant, a devoted family man, and a church leader, died January 30, 2024. He was 92.

Tracy is survived by his wife, of 72 years, Mary Sandow of Monroe, and their three children, Sherri Sandow Dees (David) of Sugar Land, Texas, John Sandow (Judy) of Dinwiddie, Virginia, and Allan Sandow (Kathy) of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Survivors also include six grandchildren, John Sandow (Erin) of Green Bay, Virginia, Ben Dees (Cindy) of Sugar Land, Texas, Tyler Sandow (Mimi) of New Orleans, Louisiana, Jessi Wilson (Johnathan) of McCordsville, Indiana, Lawson Dees (Elizabeth) of El Segundo, California, and Cole Sandow (Kasie) of Lexington, Kentucky; 10 great-grandchildren, Makenzie and Jackson Sandow of Green Bay, Virginia, Piper and Elsie Dees of Sugar Land, Texas, Luke, James, and Thomas Sandow of New Orleans, Louisiana, Jossi and Jayden Wilson of McCordsville, Indiana, and Lola Dees of El Segundo, California.

Tracy dearly loved his family across the generations, and they loved him beyond measure. By example, Tracy imparted lifelong lessons about integrity, faith, the power of prayer, loyalty to family and friends, and generosity of the heart. He modeled a strong work ethic, a commitment to excellence, frugality in material matters, curiosity about almost everything, and an attitude of gratitude.

Tracy was born September 22, 1931, in Abilene, Kansas, the second child of Arthur and Anna Sandow. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his older brother, Marcellus Sandow, and his stepmother, Irene Sandow.

After graduating from Dickinson County Community High School at Chapman, Kansas, in 1949, Tracy helped on the family farm and worked in retail in Abilene. During this period, he wed Mary Margaret Nagely on December 31, 1951 – “just in time for the tax deduction that year,” Tracy recalled.

In 1953, Tracy enrolled at Kansas State University, where he studied both chemical and nuclear engineering. He received scholarships from Dow Chemical Company, the Sparks Foundation, and Universal Oil Products, and earned the Sigma Tau silver medal and membership in Phi Kappa Phi. He also worked in the university library and later as an engineering research assistant.

After graduating from KSU in 1958 with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Tracy began a career in process engineering and plant management. Over the decades, he worked for some of the world’s leading chemical and petrochemical companies, including Dow Chemical, Conoco, Olin, International Minerals and Chemical Corporation, and Koch Industries. His career included stints in Lake Jackson, Texas, Ponca City, Oklahoma, Blytheville, Arkansas, Lake Charles, Louisiana, and Sterlington, Louisiana.

Later in his career, he served as a consultant to companies on ammonia plant projects in the Gulf Coast area. He also had a leadership role for many years in the AIChE Ammonia Symposium.

Wherever Tracy and his family moved over the years, he was an active member of Southern Baptist churches. In Monroe, he was a founding member of Northminster Church, where he served on the building committee and sang bass in the choir. A pianist since childhood, he was a music lover and patron of the arts. Using his math and analytical skills, his volunteer work included assisting the elderly with their tax returns.

Tracy kept close ties to his native Kansas. He helped manage his family’s farming operations there, and he and Mary frequently returned for family reunions.His affection remained strong for his alma mater, KSU, where in 2019 family members honored Tracy and Mary by endowing a scholarship in their names.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 A.M., February 17, 2024 at Northminster Church with Dr. D.H. Clark officiating. Burial will be private. Memorials may be made to the Northminster Church music program.

The family wishes to thank Quori Harper, Shannon Ferrill, and the staff of Avalon Place for their thoughtful care of Tracy.

To send flowers to the family or place a tree in memory of Tracy Sandow, please visit our Tribute Store.