Douglas Lee Sanford

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Bothell High School Seattle University University of Washington

Douglas Sanford Obituary

Douglas Lee Sanford

Age 73, mathematics educator for more than forty years at Bothell High School, Doug Sanford died on March 14 2020 at Swedish Hospital in Seattle, WA. He was the devoted husband of Kathleen (Blanding) Sanford for 14 years. He was born in Seattle, son of the late Everett "Sandy" and Marian (Price) Sanford.

He graduated from the University of Washington and received his graduate degree in Mathematics from Seattle University. Doug retired from teaching in 2008 as a respected and well-loved figure in the math classroom of his high school alma mater, where he made a lifelong impact on generations of students. He made mathematics a fun and achievable subject. He freely devoted his extra time to tutor and help students in need of encouragement, patience, and guidance. In honor of his late wife, Kathy, also an educator, he established a college scholarship to help and motivate many students.

Along with his loving wife, Doug is survived by his mother Marian, his brother Gary, and sister Lynn. Also grieving are his stepsons and their spouses Andy (Erica) and Jon (Melissa) Farnum, and his granddaughter Emilia, the last big joy of his life, whom he absolutely adored. In addition to Doug's father, he was predeceased by his beloved stepdaughter, Michaela Farnum.

Memorial services will be held at a time to be announced. In lieu of flowers, Doug would encourage you to offer an act of kindness. This may be a donation to your favorite charity or local shelter, or through simply sharing a smile to help restore goodness to our world. Caring grows exponentially."

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Seattle Times on Mar. 22, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Douglas Sanford

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2 Entries

Bob Boesche

March 24, 2020

Doug (and Kathy) Sanford were truly legends in the Northshore School District and especially at Bothell High School. As the CFO for Northshore, I spent many hours over quite a few years sitting across the table from Doug and Kathy during collective bargaining. Many folks might wonder what memories are recalled when talking about what was your adversary at negotiations. My memory is quite the opposite of what many might think. It is one of remembering what 'class acts' both Kathy and Doug were. Kathy was the chief bargainer for several years and Doug was the primary representative for teachers on the District Insurance/Benefits Committee. It involved literally millions of dollars and impacted several thousand employees. Doug was not just a great math teacher, he was a mastermind when it came to digesting so much data about all the various groups of employees and all the various combinations of deductibles, copays, payroll deductions and a host of other very complicated factors that drove what all these employees would ultimately receive. Doug always thought of not just himself and teachers, but of all employees whether you were a bus driver, secretary, instructional assistant, custodian, or maintenance employee. He had a wonderful sense of empathy, and over time, the other committee members came to respect that Doug Sanford was THE guru when it came to all these technical matters. But, ultimately what set Doug into a category all his own was his dedication to students; they always came first. When negotiations started to come down to the wire, we often met all day (and evening) long. But if it was during a school day everyone knew one thing ... Doug Sanford could only join in if it were after the school day ended, because job #1 for Doug were his students! He was a tough bargainer who always saw both sides to an issue; but he was also so very fair. He was a professional all the way through what could sometimes become very long, tiring and trying sessions. A final memory I want to share with all of his extended family is his joy in achieving a very special goal that he was immensely proud of. I remember going to a retirement gathering and how Doug shared that he had gone, as a student, all the way through elementary, junior and senior high school with perfect attendance! And then, when he had become a teacher in Northshore he continued that streak by having worked every single year up to retirement without missing one day of school! He was very proud of this accomplishment and I can see this very minute his smile as he relished having accomplished that. Amazing what you recall about one of your 'adversaries' isn't it? Doug Sanford was a class act who gave 110% to teaching and then another 110% to his profession and fellow teachers ... and did it with so much professionalism. From one of your long-time admirers, Bob Boesche.

Karen Harvey,

March 22, 2020

We are so saddened to hear of Doug's passing. He was married to my husband's late sister, Kathy. Doug was one of those people you loved to be around- so funny (he kept us in stitches quite often!) and just a thoughtful and loving guy! He will definitely be missed. Thinking of Kathleen and his family at this sad time.

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