Robert Edward Sanders

Robert Edward Sanders, age 86, a resident of Rio Communities, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 3, 2013. Robert was born in Joplin, Missouri, to George Robinson Sanders and Florence Rose Sanders. He served as a Technical Sergeant in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. He graduated from Swarthmore College (Phi Beta Kappa) with a Bachelor’s in Economics and from the University of Virginia with a Master’s in Economics. Robert worked as a Manger of Marketing Communications for Rogers Corporation in Ohio, New York State, and finally Rogers, CT for 28 years. During that time he served as an Oberlin City Councilman, a Steering Committee Member and then a Director of the University of Connecticut Technical Industrial Park. He published several articles in business and marketing journals and taught Economics at Quienbaug Valley Community College in Danielson, CT. After retirement, Robert moved to Valencia County and served as the President of NAMASTE, the Chairman of the Valencia County Senior Center Advisory Council and was the guiding force in creating Valencia County Senior Support which builds ramps for the homebound and assists with the installation of smoke detectors and grab bars. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Belen whose Methodist Men have been instrumental in building wheelchair ramps. Robert was a lifelong Republican active in politics in Ohio, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Valencia County. Robert is survived by his wife of 34 years, Dr. Alice V. Letteney; his children, Dr. Elizabeth Rose Sanders, Martha Rice Sanders, and George Robert Sanders; his grandchildren, Dan Beshers, Edward Beshers, Devon Sanders, David Sanders, and Benjamin Koch; his great-grandchildren, Rory Beshers, Wesley Beshers, and Chandler Sanders; and many members of the Letteney and Trant families. A viewing will be held the United Methodist Church in Rio Communities at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 8, with a Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. Should friends desire, memorial tributes may be sent to Valencia County Senior Support c/o Wayne Gallegos 1101 Esperanza Drive, Belen, NM 87002. Sign Robert’s online registry book at www.romerofuneralhomenm.com

Robert Edward Sanders

July 7, 1926 - July 3, 2013