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<p><em>Arthur Coyne “Art” Sands</em> was born on June 17, 1947 in Billings, MT. Art’s parents were Warren and Frances Sands. He was the third born son of a family of four boys and a daughter. Warren was an officer in the Air Force, so the family moved frequently during Art’s childhood. One of his favorite places they lived was Madrid, Spain. He told a story where he and his brothers hired taxi cabs to chase each other around Madrid to play “cops and robbers.” During his time in Spain, Art contracted hepatitis A and was hospitalized. The care and concern the medical professionals provided him was foundational in his decision to pursue a career as a physician.</p>
<p>Art was always a standout athlete and student. As a senior in western Oklahoma, he was an All-District football player. Additionally, he skipped a grade in high school because of his advanced standing. Art had many options upon graduating from high school. He was accepted to Stanford, had an academic and athletic scholarship to Colorado College, and received a presidential nomination for the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point. Ultimately, Art attended West Point at 17, the youngest cadet in his class.</p>
<p>In a typical example of his initiative and resourcefulness, Art solved the problem of not having had the opportunity to secure pre-med biology credits (unavailable at USMA) by arranging for private university tutors and lecturers in London during his graduation leave. Thus, fortified with those credits (and perhaps by a few concurrent pints of Guinness during those study sessions), he qualified to enter medical school at the start of the 1968 academic year at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, graduating in 1972. While in medical school Art bought a condominium in Vail, CO. After Ranger School many of his classmates ventured to Colorado for Gary Halstead’s wedding and went to the condo for some festivities.</p>
<p>In 1973, Art married Pamela Bremer, the love of his life. Art and Pam met at Colorado General Hospital. Pam was working in the radiation therapy department and Art was a junior medical student. After Art interrupted a date that Pam was on, he invited her to a rugby game and the rest is history. They were married in Vail. It was always a special place for their family. One of their sons was also married there in 2019. Art will always be in Vail, as was his memorial.</p>
<p>His medical journey led him to serve as a flight surgeon in the Air Force, showcasing his dedication to both his country and his profession. As a flight surgeon, Art was assigned to Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, CO (1973-74) and thereafter to Royal Air Force Alconbury, England (1974-76). During their time in England, Art and Pam traveled in Europe. They visited Switzerland, skiing at Zermatt; drove through France in their Datsun 240Z with a Texas license plate, causing more than a few puzzled looks; and frequented London. He was promoted to major in September 1976 and left the service.</p>
<p>Following his service in the Air Force, Art worked as an emergency room physician for two years in Monterey, CA. He then joined a private family practice for several years in California before moving and establishing his practice in Fort Collins, CO. He practiced in Fort Collins for 31 years before retiring in 2017 at the age of 70.</p>
<p>Off the clock, there were many passions Art was involved in. He played rugby for 25 years: starting at West Point, continuing during his time in England, and finishing with the Denver Highlanders Rugby Club. He was also an avid cyclist who rode his bike nearly every day, rain, snow, or shine. Art loved playing piano, particularly the blues. He also had a love and eye for black and white photography. In the basement of his office, he built a full-scale dark room and frame-matting room. His photography was displayed at local businesses and galleries.</p>
<p>Art loved traveling and was always ready for an adventure, A number of years ago he contacted one of the authors of this memorial article (Caldwell) and convinced him to charter a sailboat and wander through the British Virgin Islands for a week with another classmate (Chuck Mahan). Suffice it to say there were a number of adventures packed into seven days.</p>
<p>Art’s memory will remain in the hearts of his loving wife, Pam; his sons (and daughters-in­ law): Rick (Danielle), David (Rachel), and Weston (Kiersten); and his four grandchildren: Addison, Ashton, Tyson, and Maddison.</p>
<p>Art’s humor, keen intellect, and gentle kindness will be deeply missed by all who knew him. We hope that his life and legacy serve as inspiration for future generations.</p>
<p><em>Art was known to his fellow cadets and companymates as a man who lived life with energy, intelligence, and a remarkable sense of humor. He had an expansive and socially interactive personality that welcomed and respected a broad spectrum of friends and associates, accepting them as they were, emitting positivism and love of life.</em> —From a zoom session with over 15 D-3 classmates </p>
<p><em>— Hank Gregor and Steve Caldwell, Class of 1968</em></p>
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