Robert Sanders

Robert Allen Sanders, long-time Alaska resident, died January 19 at the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix, AZ. He was 69 years old.

Bob (as he was known by friends and colleagues) was born in Little Rock, AR on August 15, 1942 to James and Aubrey Sanders. He grew up in Dallas, TX, graduating from Highland Park High School in 1961. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Texas A&M University in College Station, class of 1965. While attending Texas A&M, he was a member of the Corp of Cadets and the Ross Volunteers, an elite honor guard. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. He married Mina Sigmon in 1966 and, together, they raised three sons.

Bob served his country honorably for 10 years as an Air Force officer, including multiple tours of duty in Vietnam with Operation Ranch Hand, the 91st Air Refueling Squadron, and the Strategic Air command. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Gallantry Cross, and the RVN AF Honor Medal. He resigned his AF commission in 1976 after his last duty assignment at Eielson AFB. By then, he had fallen in love with Alaska and wanted to make it his home. In 1980, he attended the Dept. of Public Safety Academy #33 in Sitka and thereby began his second career.

During his 24 years with the Alaska State Troopers, Sgt. Sanders was assigned to posts at Fairbanks, Kotzebue, and Anchorage, but he traveled the entire state as a pilot of various Alaska State Trooper aircraft. He loved his years as an active duty Trooper, but once he became involved in the formation of the D.A.R.E. program, his passion for the next several years was clearly to reach as many school age children with the message to resist drugs, alcohol and violence as he possibly could. He retired from the Alaska State Troopers on April 13, 2001 and devoted the next four years to incorporating D.A.R.E. Alaska and expanding its influence throughout the state.

Bob was an avid reader and a huge fan of college and NFL football. But he was most happy on the water - whether white water rafting or piloting his boat, Sultana, in Prince William Sound. His fondest memories were of float trips with family and friends and looking for whales and bears or a new anchorage for the night with his wife.

He married Susan on February 15, 1997 and, together, they enjoyed the blessings of their large blended family, consisting of four sons, five daughters and 15 grandchildren. He had a special place in his heart for the little ones. He will be sorely missed by those old enough to remember him.

Besides his wife, Susan, Bob is survived by his four sons Robert of Tehachapi, CA; Jeffrey of Rockwall, TX; Michael and his wife Amory of Chugiak, AK, and Andrew of Cheney, WA. He also leaves five step-daughters and their husbands: Kelly and Coby Harden of Kenai; Tracy and Charles Harris-Inman of Girona, Spain; Jolene Vogelien of Albany, NY; Angie and Chris Murray of Anchorage; and Lisa and Ashford Cooper of Exeter, NH. His grandchildren include Brady , Dawson and Kinley Sanders; Karley and Makenzie Harden; Jake and Max Harris-Inman; Delaney, Johnny, Derek and Allie Vogelien; Tyler and Samantha Murray; and Ashford and Olivia Cooper. Also surviving Bob are his sister, Elizabeth Snipes and brother, James Sanders. He was preceded in death by his younger brother, George Sanders.

A memorial service will be held to honor Robert, beginning at 1pm, Saturday, February 11, 2012 at the First United Methodist Church, 725 W Ninth Avenue, Anchorage, AK. The solemn service will be followed by a Celebration of Life at the Gateway Event Hall, Alaska Zoo, 4731 O'Malley Road, from 3:30-5:30pm. At Bob's request, his family will gather this summer for a commemorative raft trip to scatter his remains in the Falls of the Gulkana River.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.com, or to D.A.R.E. Alaska, Incorporated, Attn: State D.A.R.E. Coordinator, 4500 West 50th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska 99502.

Robert Allen Sanders died as he had lived - with honor, and dignity.