Ronald Clayton Sander of Severna Park, MD passed away peacefully on Thursday 18 November 2021 at the age of 82.

Ron is survived by his sons Christopher (Melissa Richards), Matthew (Julie), and Erik (Nancy); grandchildren Ryan, Molly, Jack, Ben, and Jadon; and brother Robert (Judy); nieces and nephew; and significant-other, Cheryl Austin. He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Judith Haklik Sander.

Born on 25 April 1939 in Buffalo, NY to the late Clayton and Mary Sander, Ron graduated from Kensington High School in Buffalo in 1957 where he was an accomplished violinist and earned the Boy Scout rank of Eagle Scout. He earned a USAF ROTC scholarship to Cornell University where he was awarded a Bachelor's Degree and Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering.

Following graduation, Ron married Judith Haklik of Staten Island, NY, his college sweetheart from nearby Wells College in 1964. They then moved to Mountain View, CA where 1st Lieutenant, USAF, Ron was stationed at NASA Ames Research Center where he worked with microwave technologies until 1967. While on the West Coast, Ron also earned his MBA at Santa Clara University. Ron and Judy then moved to Merrimac, NH where he worked for several defense contractors developing the information technology networking industry that was in its infancy. In 1972, Ron and Judy moved to Severna Park where they raised their family and spent the rest of their lives.

Ron's professional career continued to soar as he worked for defense contractors ARINC Research and COMTEN. In 1975, he went to work at the U.S. Senate Computer Center and U.S. Library of Congress, where he developed and implemented the data storage infrastructure supporting over 25,000 devices. In 1981, Ron founded Sander Group Inc., where for the next 20+ years he travelled the globe presenting lectures and providing private consulting on telecommunications networking technologies. Ron wrote and presented more than 20 different courses and served as president of several industry conventions.

Ron's extra-curricular life included participating and assuming leadership roles with his sons in Y-Indian Guides, Cub Scouts, and Boy Scouts, as well as working with Judy as co-presidents of the Saint Andrews Swim Team where their boys competed. Ron was also active on the Chartwell Community Association. He was very generous with his charitable support of Harundale Soup Kitchen, Habitat for Humanity, Re-Building Together, Toast Masters, and Christmas in April. At Woods Memorial Church, Ron actively served on numerous committees. He and Judy sponsored numerous midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy, giving new arrivals a home away from home. He also found time to enjoy playing tennis with his friends and spent many happy summer vacations with his family at Litchfield Beach, SC.

Ron travelled extensively, frequently joined by his wife, Judy, on numerous trips to Europe, as well as South Africa, Australia, the Middle East, and Brazil. His crowning achievement may have been the Great Sander Western Adventure that he meticulously planned (without the internet) for his family in August 1981 where they spent a month visiting dozens of National Parks and other sites throughout the western United States.

Against overwhelming odds, Ron recovered from a near-fatal illness in 2015 and made the most of every moment over the next six years including serving as president of the Assisted Living Residence Council at Brightview Severna Park, MD.

Nothing meant more to Ron than his family, education, and having a strong work ethic. Many will remember him for his humor and quick wit. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, and friend, and will be missed by all.

A Funeral Service will be held at Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church in Severna Park, MD on Sunday, 05 December 2021 at 3pm. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Ron's life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Wounded Warriors https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate

For those unable to attend, the service will also be Live Streamed by Woods Memorial Church at https://www.youtube.com/c/WoodsMemorialPresbyterianChurch/live

The family would like to thank the staff at Brightview Assisted Living and caregivers of Regent Healthcare for their professionalism and dedication.