Obituary of R. Garth Sanders

R. GARTH SANDERS June 15, 1937 – February 27, 2014 It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Garth Sanders surrounded by his loving family. He was predeceased by his parents, Les and Jean Sanders, and his first wife Beverly McCammon. Garth will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 34 years, Sharon; his children and grandchildren, Brad (Lauren) of Saskatoon, Dori (Tammy) of Saskatoon, Jill (Russ) Clarke of Regina, (Mitchell, Kyle, Lauren), Allyson (Dean) McDonald of Regina, (Sydney and Liam), Heather (Michael) Morhart of Edmonton, (Claire, Seth, Kane); mother-in-law Marguerite Steen of Regina; cousin Russell (Jane) Sanders of Ruthilda, SK; and many extended cousins. Garth was born in Dodsland, SK and completed his early education in Ruthilda, SK. He graduated from Engineering (Civil) in 1959 and obtained his Professional Engineer designation in 1961. In 1959, he married Beverly McCammon and they had two children; Brad and Dori. In 1980, he married Sharon McCrimmon (nee Steen) and adopted her three daughters, Jill, Allyson and Heather. As a professional engineer, Garth worked at the Saskatchewan Department of Highways, taught Civil Engineering at SIAST in Moose Jaw for 15 years, worked as a project engineer for the Alberta Native Development Association and was the Technical Consulting Engineer for Canadian Portland Cement Association for 27 years. He was a life-time member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan and was an active member of the Saskatchewan Ready Mixed Concrete Association and was the Executive Director from 1990 on. Garth was a Past Master of St. George Masonic Lodge (Moose Jaw), member of King Hiram Lodge No. 104 (Regina), a life-time member of Wa Wa Shrine and served in the T-Bird and the Drum Corp units. He was elected Potentate in 1993. He was President of the Mid-West Shrine Association in 2006. Garth was also a member of the Regina Golf Club, the Wascana Golf Club and the Tartan Curling Club. He will be remembered as a kind-hearted, humble man that touched the lives of many. Garth was always willing to lend a hand. He enjoyed a good conversation and had a knack for respecting all points of view. Garth loved country music but over the years grew to have a great appreciation for jazz and big band. On the right day you could hear him singing along to a good Johnny Cash tune. Golfing, curling, Shrine and Masons were all passions that gave him avenues to socialize with his family and friends. Garth did not ever come to enjoy the “rubber chicken” served at banquet meals, but he did have great fun as Sharon led him around the dance floor! In recent years, he was involved in a men’s gourmet club - his daughters smiled at the fact he was actually cooking and further, asking them to suggest recipes he could use. He took all of his administrative positions in the Shrine and concrete industry seriously. You always could count on him to do a great job. A few days a week, he really enjoyed “going to the office to work”, but we know that visiting with all of his friends and colleagues was very important to him. He was the handyman for many households and concrete consultant for friends and family. He always brought an engineering approach - who knew that adjusting the thermostat or catching the melting drips of water off the roof so they didn’t hit the step could be so complex?! He was a quiet advisor to his children and grandchildren - a quality we will all miss. For the last 22 months, Garth fought a good battle with multiple myeloma and COPD. He approached all of the treatment and therapy head-on and was positive until the end. Garth was grateful to Sharon and the kids for everything they did to make him comfortable. The family would like to thank everyone at the Allan Blair Cancer Clinic who were instrumental in taking such great care of Garth. The Funeral Service will be held at Lakeview United Church, 3200 McCallum Avenue, Regina, SK on Thursday, March 6, 2014 at 1:30 p.m. Private Family Interment Friday, March 7, 2014. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wa Wa Shrine Patient Transportation Fund, 2065 Hamilton Street, Regina, SK, S4P 2E1.