He was born on April 11, 1976, in Sterling, IL, the son of Gary L. and Evonne M. (Hilger) Sandrock. He was a graduate of Rock Falls High School in 1994, obtained his associate’s degree at Blackhawk Community College East, and was a 1998 graduate of the University of Illinois. He married Traci L. Fritsch on June 23, 2001, in Rock Falls at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Ben was a hardworking, cowboy hat-wearing, family man who worked alongside his brother (Matt) and son (Connor) at Sandrock Farms/Sauk Valley Angus. He had deep faith and a love of purebred Angus cattle, fishing, snow skiing, and being surrounded by his family and friends. His wife, three children, and two granddaughters were the light of his life. Ben lit up every room with his infectious laugh and phenomenal storytelling. Ben was loved dearly by his family, friends, and anyone who knew him.
Survivors include his wife, Traci; son, Sean Sandrock; daughter, Breanna (Caleb) Torres; granddaughters, Adalynn and Avery Torres; father, Gary (Kathy) Sandrock; mother Evonne Cox; brothers: Matthew (Amanda) Sandrock, Nathan Sandrock, Zach (Kelsey) Sandrock; sister, Faith (Tyler) Dambman; uncles, Greg (Kris) Sandrock, Henry (Tracy) Hilger, Jay (Jackie) King; aunts: Evette (Ken) VonHolten; several cousins, nieces, and nephews; paternal grandparents: Jay and Chris King, and Judy Grummert; maternal grandmother: Elaine Hilger; mother and father in law, Tom and Melodie Fritsch.
He was preceded in death by his son, Connor Sandrock; paternal grandparents: Lowell and Dorothy Sandrock; maternal grandfather: Paul Hilger.
Memorials may be made in his memory to the Ronald McDonald House and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.
