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University of Houston

TONY SANDERS Obituary

SANDERS--Tony R., accomplished poet, beloved father, brother and friend to many died on February 11, 2015. Born on May 2, 1957 in New York City, he was educated at Phillips Andover Academy, Yale, The Iowa's Writer's Workshop and University of Houston. Tony published four collections of poetry, including his latest collection of prose poems Subject Matters and a collaboration of verse with his dear friend and fellow poet Chard deNiord. Tony's poetry appeared in numerous publications including, Poetry, Paris Review, The Yale Review, The Gettysburg Review and The New York Times Book Review. Ten of his poems were nominated for Pushcart Prizes. He lived in New York City and Vermont. Tony was a member of The National Arts Club and Poets House. He is survived by two sons, Matthew and Jack Sanders, as well his sisters Jody Foote and Barbara Bradley, and brother Malcom Sanders. Donations can be made in his memory to Poets House, 10 River Terrace, New York, NY 10282 or poetshouse.org.

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Published by New York Times on Feb. 16, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for TONY SANDERS

Sponsored by Ann Bogle.

19 Entries

Jackie Carpenter

February 11, 2025

Dear Tony,

You continue to be missed.

RUTH ANNE BAUMGARTNER

February 10, 2020

I can't believe it's been 5 years since Tony last phoned me in the middle of the night to read me a new poem. It's good to have his published poetry to read still.

Anne Hemenway

May 22, 2018

Very sorry to learn that Tony has died. Assumed he was writing and carrying on with delight and great humor. What happened ? All love and fare thee well to dear Tony Sanders.

Wanda

February 12, 2017

A voice on the line, friend.

Ann Bogle

August 1, 2016

Hello, Jackie, it is refreshing to see your note here. I, too, met Tony the first time in Houston where we both were matriculated in Ph.D. programs. He has often spoken of his experience teaching in the Honors College and of his teaching philosophy otherwise. I feel tangentially in touch with him myself. It is of a good nature to leave the guest book for others to find over time. I had wondered if it was wise to do, and now I think it is. ~Ann

Jackie Carpenter

July 31, 2016

Dear Tony,

I was googling your name in hopes of saying hello to you on Facebook after all these years. Instead I found an obituary. I am stunned. It doesn't seem so long ago that I was sitting in your class at U of H. You were by far the most handsome and interesting of all the TAs. Since I can no longer leave you a message on Facebook, I'll leave it here in hopes that it will somehow reach you. I hope we can one day have coffee in the afterlife.

P.S. I wrote every word of that Hamlet paper (except the direct quotes) although you might have had your doubts.

January 18, 2016

I will always love you Tone....Cherokee

Jim Rice

July 8, 2015

What sad news, which I just learned of. Tony and I were good friends at Andover. Such a great guy. May he rest eternally in the peace and serenity that must have been elusive for him in life. I mourn deeply his passing.

Kevin Connolly

May 15, 2015

Very sorry to hear of Tony's passing. We were friends and classmates through Andover and Yale. Shared many adventures and Hijinks through our coming of age and college years. Unique raw talent handled with humor and humility. Gifted athlete who could speak Latin better than he could play squash. Admired by both faculty and students alike throughout school. I'm sad today. My deepest condolences to family and friends.

Bruce Calisle

April 5, 2015

I knew Tony for the year and a half I was at Andover. I remember him vividly as a kind, funny, intelligent and engaging soul.

March 21, 2015

I lived across the hall one year from Tony. We were freshman. It was comforting to know that a person there could be as kind and cultured as Tony was. Steve Moran

Maggie Rahe

February 23, 2015

I am sending love and best wishes to his family and especially to Jody and to Barbara.
My thoughts are with you.
Love,
Maggie Moffitt Rahe

Phil

February 18, 2015

Tony will be missed, may you continue to be comforted by memories of him, along with prayers and the support of family and friends

robert fales

February 17, 2015

Spent the last month with Toni.loved sitting down talking,Toni telling me his storys and adventures he had.I was right with him til his last day.you will be greatly missed

Ruth Anne Baumgartner

February 16, 2015

He brought joy to work with him and was a steady friend even in the unsteadiest of times. It's good to have his poems, but I will miss him sorely.

J.D. Smith

February 16, 2015

I will always be grateful for his kindnesses as a poet and a friend. He has left us too soon.