Obituary of Sandra B. Earthman

Sandra B. "Sandy" Earthman, age 79, long-time Houston and Katy resident died peacefully on August 23, 2023.  Sandy was born on September 22, 1943 in Sullivan, Indiana to Lela and Haley Kohler.  She was preceded in death by her daughter, Allyson Ann Babin.

Sandy is survived by her loving husband of 32 years, Robert L. “Bob” Earthman; daughter Debbie Gutierrez and her husband Richard; brother Karl Kohler and his wife Shelia of Lake Charles, LA; brother Mike Kohler, Sr. and his wife Elaine of Carlyss, LA; and step-children: Mary and Michael Littman of Kentucky, Bobby and Elena Earthman of California, Lannie and Bill Bluethmann of Houston, and David Earthman of Houston. Her grandchildren include: Ryan Littman, Robert Littman, Margaret Cardwell, Lee Cardwell, Presley Gutierrez, Griffin Gutierrez, Bradie Babin, Jack Bluethmann, Grace Bluethmann, Robert Earthman III, Landry Gutierrez, and Xander Earthman. Sandy enjoyed spending time with her Earthman brothers and sisters-in-law, as well as numerous nieces and nephews from the Kohler, Babin, and Earthman families.

Sandy lived in the Houston and Katy area for 57 years, having grown up in Lake Charles, Louisiana.  She graduated from La Grange High School in 1961 and attended McNeese State University and earned her degree in Secondary Education.  She began her teaching career in Lake Charles before moving to Houston in 1966, where she taught middle school Social Studies in Spring Branch Independent School District for ten years.

Sandy launched a second career at Spring Branch-Memorial Chamber of Commerce, serving as Director of Membership, Executive Vice President and editor of the Chamber’s monthly publication, MetroWest Magazine, and lastly President of the Chamber for eight years. During that time, she completed the six-year Certification Program, as well as three years of post-graduate study in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organizational Management at Southern Methodist University.

In 1985, Sandy joined Reliant Energy/HL&P Business Development Department as Senior Economic Development Specialist, and worked primarily with area Chambers of Commerce to retain and expand existing businesses and attract new business to the Houston/Harris County region.  In 1988, Community Leadership Development became an important component of the economic development effort at Reliant.  Sandy was their corporate representative and was instrumental in developing multiple community leadership programs:

• Leadership Fort Bend, Steering Committee and Program Director, 1989
• Leadership Wharton, Program Director, 1990
• Leadership 20/20, Founding Member, 1991
• Leadership 20/20, Program Director, 1991-1993
• Leadership North Houston, Steering Committee and Advisory Board Member, 1994-1995

Sandy left the professional arena in 1996 to dedicate her time to become a community volunteer. Her service to the community includes:

• Life Member, Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce Executives Association
• Memorial Drive United Methodist Church Administrative Board, 1980-1982
• Sunday School Teacher, Memorial Drive Methodist Church, 20 years
• Advisory Board Member Spring Branch ISD Career and Technology Education, 1979-1995
• Graduate of Leadership Houston, Class II
• Member, Leadership Houston Alumni Association--Interviewer of Candidates for Classes III-VI, Undergraduate Programs, Editor of Leadership Newsletter
• Vice Chair of Leadership Division, Board of Directors, Greater Southwest Houston Chamber of Commerce, 1998-2000
• Vice Chair of Community Services Division Board of Directors, Greater Southwest Houston Chamber of Commerce, 2000-2002
• Chair, Southwest Shakers Award Luncheon, GSWHCC, Member, Memorial Drive United Methodist Church Board of Stewards, 2000-2002
• Member, Board of Directors, Association of Texas Leadership Programs, 2000 to 2002
• Houston Event Co-Chair, National Osteoporosis Foundation
• Member, Magic Circle Republican Women
• Member, United Methodist Women Memorial Drive Methodist Church
• Member, Advisory Council, Memorial Hermann Memorial City Hospital
• Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Volunteer Committee  

After many years serving in the community, Sandy spent the last 20 years of her life focusing on her family, bible study classes as a member and teacher, and the United Methodist Women’s activities.  While Sandy was never known for having spare time, she enjoyed the fun of being a grandmother most of all!  Sandy has touched many lives as a friend, role model, and inspiration and will be greatly missed.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Monday, August 28, 2023 at Joseph J. Earthman Generations, 234 Westcott Street in Houston, Texas.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at Memorial Drive United Methodist Church, 12955 Memorial Drive in Houston, Texas.