The Lord has called upon Robert to come and help him. Even the Lord needed help with the safety for His angels and only the best will do. So, he called upon Robert, a top safety Compliance officer to help with the angel's wings and make sure they could fly as Robert was a FAA DER, ODA, Certification Cabin Safety Compliance Officer, and an Interior Compliance Unit Member.
Robert Carl Sanders was born at the Great Lakes Naval Hospital in Illinois on January 2, 1957 and passed away from complications of HLH, Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis a rare deadly disease, at the University of Washington Medical Center on January 16, 2018 with his wife Laurie at his bedside.
Robert's parents later relocated to the state of FL and grew up in West Palm Beach, FL. This was home to Robert and his brother Ronald Sanders.
He met a beautiful young lady, Jenny, in Florida and were later married.
During Robert's Military service, he was stationed at the Whidbey Island Naval Base. Later, Robert and Jenny relocated to Mount Lake Terrace, WA and eventually settled in Granite Fall, WA. Together they had 3 beautiful children Megan, William, and Timothy Sanders.
Robert met Laurie (Melland) Sanders, a single mother of one, Gretchen (Melland) Otis in Mount Vernon, WA in July 2005. They were married August 16, 2008. Robert accepted Gretchen as his own daughter and cared for her until his death.
Robert was also a Mount Baker Counsel Boy Scoutmaster of Granite Falls, WA Troup 28 for approx. 7 yrs. He loved what he did discovering the wilderness with the boy scouts. He acted as a mentor and was just there for Troup. He would often in the warmer seasons take the boy scouts on camping trips to learn how to survive in the wilderness. He made sure they all had survival kits to know what to do if something were to arise. He also took them on long hikes with backpacks and camped overnight at times. Robert loved to hike and camp. He helped with the boy scouts with fundraisers for their Troup. But with his heavy work load coming upon him, he had to step down from The Boy Scouts of America position as the Scoutmaster of Troup 28. As Robert's good friend Steve Burley of Granite falls was the assistant Scoutmaster, Robert appointed Steve as the Scoutmaster of Troup 28 and Steve accepted. Alongside with Steve was Ed Moore as the Assistant Scoutmaster. Robert was sad to leave but he had other business to continue with his work and family.
Robert joined the Navy of 4 years and with his passion for airplanes, he wanted to know how they operated. His fellow Navy crew officer nicknamed Robert "MrNatops" because he knew the manual front to back. He was also known as the answer man. He knew it all. He also had a passion for Motorcycles. He became a STAR member in October 2008. When he joined The Northwest Cascades STAR Chapter 154 in Burlington, WA he rode with the group everywhere when he was not traveling. Later he purchased a motorcycle for his wife Laurie so they could ride together side by side with the others from STAR. Laurie became a road captain a few times and lead the motorcycles on some serious windy roads that some have never been on before. She was a driver for a company and new the roads. So, she shared them with Robert and the STAR members.
Robert was employed by Tramco in Everett, WA for 17 years. He decided he wanted to know more about the industry and became a employee of Heath Techna of Bellingham, WA in 2003. He eventually bought a home at Glenhaven Lakes Community (Alger,WA) and resided there until his death.
He then wanted bigger and better things in the industry and went onto becoming a FAA, DER, ODA, CERTIFICATION CABIN SAFETY COMPLIANCE OFFICER, and INTERIOR COMPLIANCE UNIT OFFICER for FLIGHT STRUCTURES INC - BE/AEROSPACE in Marysville, WA. Later his work moved as ROCKWELL COLLINS at Pain Field in Everett, WA for 12 ½ yrs until his death. It was a 50 minute drive or ride on his motorcycle from home to Marysville, WA until his employer moved to Pain Field in Everett, WA. The drive or ride became 60+ minutes but he didn't mind that either.
He loved his dogs and cats, Motorcycle, job, career, those he worked with. He loved to fly in the airplanes to see the world; Japan, Korea, Jakarta, Qatar, Cardiff Wales Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States. His favorite place to go was Ireland. If he ever he was to retire, his place of residence would have been Ireland. Robert had to fly out from country to country to meetings for seat designs and inspections on airplanes before they could fly. Sometimes it would take longer because of delays, but he was a patient man. He had a hat with a phrase on it, "FAA I'M NOT HAPPY UNTIL YOU'RE NOT HAPPY". He would tell the mechanics this phrase when he was frustrated about something until it was finally fixed and ready for inspection and approval, only then could they fly. He often had to wait sometimes as much as 14 days to 45 days until the job was completed to come home. Other times he had to go back and finish his inspections.
He stopped one airline from flying when he boarded it at Sea Tac Airport and demanded to speak to the captain about a safety Issue. He met with the captain of that plane and told him that the seat belts were installed incorrectly on one side of the airliner. "This plane is NOT leaving the ground." He told the captain, this plane is officially out of service as of now. The captain tried to argue his point until Robert pulled out his business card and told the crew and captain who he represented and worked for. The captain then made the announcement for all passengers to exit the plane because of a safety issue. The passengers were upset of course because they all had to exit the plane and head to the next gate and
wait for their delayed flight. That was the only plane he had to put a stop to from flying in his entire career with the FAA.
Robert was a man of love, a family man, a career oriented man and worked each and everyday to provide for his family. Robert will be missed dearly by his wife, family, friends, and all those who knew, loved and respected him for what he achieved in his life: his family and his FAA career of 12 1/2 + years.
Robert is preceded in death by his mother, Elaine Keele, his father, Phillip Robert Sanders, his grandparents and other family members.
Robert is survived by his wife, Laurie Lynne Sanders, of Sedro Woolley, WA His step daughter Gretchen Abigail Otis and son in law Justin Otis of Mount Vernon, WA, His daughter Megan Leigh Sanders (Fayette) of Everett, WA, Son William Robert Sanders of Kenmore, WA, son Timothy James Sanders of Jacksonville, FL, his brother Ronald Sanders of West Palm Beach, FL, Nephew Shawn Sanders of FL, twin Nieces Shana and Sheena Sanders of West Palm beach FL, and Great Nephew Bryson Sanders West Palm beach FL, The Mother of his children Jenny Barker of Kenmore, WA and his beloved Granddaughters MacKenzie Ivarra, & Rileigh Ivarra, and many family members and friends.
Celebration of his life will be held at the Glenhaven Lakes Community Clubhouse 2997 Glenhaven Dr Sedro Woolley, WA 98284 February 18, 2018 @ 2 pm. Reception will follow ceremony. The food is being provided by the employees of Rockwell Collins in honor of Robert.