David Harlow Sanders

1931 - 2021

David Harlow Sanders, age 90, died peacefully at home on July 29, 2021. He was born on January 3, 1931 to Roy and Cora Sanders, the youngest of four siblings and he grew up outside of Elkhorn, Wisconsin on a farm. It was there that he acquired his habit of working hard, which he applied throughout his life. Dave attended grades 1-8 in a single room school with the same teacher teaching all 8 grades. He attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Upon graduating in 1952 with a Pharmacy degree, he served in the Korean War in the 45th Infantry, working as an assistant battalion surgeon, often on the front lines. He was awarded two Bronze Stars for his service. When the war ended 18 months later, he returned to Madison and obtained an MBA. In Madison, Dave agreed to go on a blind date, and met Miriam Anderson. They married in September 1955. His early career working as a pharmaceutical executive with both Pfizer and Sandoz led him to New York for a few years where daughter Carolyn was born, and then to Lincoln, Nebraska where Mike and Jim joined the family. The family moved to Deerfield, Illinois in 1967, and it was there that Katy was born.In 1973, he and his good friend Ken Davee purchased Medical Engineering Corporation. Dave managed the company for eleven years, bringing it from near bankruptcy to a thriving business, and then sold the company to Bristol Myers Squibb. He excelled in the business world as a leader and a mentor, and repeated this pattern of resuscitating failing enterprises several more times, including Biochem International and Medikmark Incorporated. Dave was a passionate believer in education, and was very generous in supporting the University of Wisconsin and its School of Pharmacy. He was named the University of Wisconsin Alumnus of the Year in 2003. Over the years, he and Miriam also sponsored college scholarships for his extended family, friends, and graduates of Deerfield High School. His giving extended to charities around the world through the auspices of his and Miriam's Harlow Foundation. Dave was a man of significant stature, vision, keen business sense, and generosity. Although his business career took him around the world, Dave never lost the connection with his family or the way of life on a Wisconsin farm. He was an avid fisherman and travelled with friends and family to many countries to seek out "the big ones." He continued to go to county fairs and family gatherings whenever he could. He supported his wife and children in all of their endeavors. He and Miriam sponsored wonderful family reunions every 2 years where everyone got together in one big house; the most recent reunion was in the Outer Banks of North Carolina just three weeks ago, where 23 family members ages 5-90 gathered.

He is survived by his wife Miriam, and his four children: Carolyn Sanders (Eric Boysen), Michael Sanders (Michaela McDonnell), James Sanders (Celestina Owusu-Sanders), Kathryn Sanders (Ryutaro Ishikane), and his 13 grandchildren. Services will be held Friday August 6 at the First Presbyterian Church in Lake Forest, Illinois at 10:30 AM. He has been our patriarch, sharing with us his humor, his positive outlook on life, and his unconditional love. We will miss him dearly but will find comfort in our memories of his love for us. Due to COVID concerns, those attending the funeral service are asked to wear a mask. A zoom link will be available also. A private burial will follow. Should friends desire, donations may be made to the Salvation Army. Info: Wenban Funeral Home, Lake Forest (847) 234-0022 or www.wenbanfh.com