Elmo Sanders

5/3/1929 -- 3/20/2020

I am sorry to report that our long-time member Elmo Sanders passed away at home last night after a short battle with rapidly spreading cancer. His wife Joan said that no memorial service will be held until after the coronavirus restrictions have been lifted. She told Fritz that there is nothing we can do now and that his son and her children will be coming soon. Elmo, at age 90, went into Emeritus status with the Fellowship Forum just a month ago due to his illness, and at that time sent the following assessment of his time with the Fellowship Forum:
"Looking back on my over 20 years in the Fellowship Forum, I think of how fortunate I've been, over 50 times a year, to have lunch with such an outstanding group of bright and successful men. And, in addition, to be able to hear from some of the best informed speakers on such a wide variety of important topics. What a treasure, I will certainly miss the camaraderie."
We will certainly miss ‘Mo' as one of the wise lions of our group, who served as President and Head of the Nominating Committee during his long membership.

In Fellowship,
Mark Barchas

What a true gentleman in every sense of the word. He will be missed. May he rest in peace.
Dan Zemanek

I’m saddened by the loss of such a wonderful, kind man. Mo would always ask about others, showing a sincere interest in his FF comrades-rarely talking of himself. I’ll miss this fine gentleman.
Neil Bonke

Gentlemen,

Mo Sanders was a wonderful gentlemen and an outstanding member of the Fellowship Forum--short on words, long on results, always kind and thoughtful. We benefited from his behind the scenes contributions for many years. A very special man whom I miss greatly.

Best regards,
Bill Mason

This loss is crushing.

For me, Mo was one of T-H-E icons of FF. His gentlemanly demeanor, his unfailing friendliness, even to a novice beginner like me, will be dearly missed by all who knew him. He exemplified the very finest qualities of the Forum. He helped make me feel instantly welcomed when that reassurance was like gold to me.

We have lost some real titans recently, men who brought dignity, high intelligence, curiosity, and a welcoming, embracing spirit to every meeting. Let us all resolve to carry those examples forward to all members, old and new. That will be a fine honoring of all these fine men.

Tearfully, but with great good fortune in having known Mo...and all of them...and all of you,
David Morrison

How sad to learn\] of Elmo's passing. What a fine gentleman he was, quietly positive and accepting at all time times. The Forum has not been the same since he retired. He served so well, so calmly, so modestly, so uncritically, during his years with us. We've lost a stalwart member and friend.
Andy Doty

What a loss. He was a warm, thoughtful, friendly and certainly highly admired by all..He constantly displayed the best qualities of of our Fellowship Forum. What a wonderful role model he was.
Mo, thanks for sharing your time with all of us.
Russ Porter

Yes, How sad to lose Elmo. He was such a warm and quietly capable person. He had long ago helped my good friend Jack Lane, when Jack was the director of the SF MOMA. As I understood it, Elmo became a consultant to the BOD and helped them to dig out of a financial hole. All with little fuss or public recognition. I too will miss him.
William Eaglstein

He was a kindly presence at the FF, and for a relatively new member like me, a real friend. It is sad.
Peter Dehlinger

Mo was a great friend who encouraged me to join this group. He has always been a completely positive presence to everyone he encounters. We should all follow his example. He will be missed by all of us, but it is very personal to me. I’ve lost a good buddy.
Charlse Nile

Obituary

Elmo Eugene Sanders

May 3, 1929 - March 20, 2020

Elmo Eugene Sanders, native Californian, died March 20, 2020 after a short battle with cancer. Mo was born May 3, 1929 in San Luis Obispo, California to Elmo Edward and Ann Marie Sanders. He had two sisters Shirley and the late Barbara "Bobbie". When Mo turned age 5, the family moved south to Hollywood where Mo attended Vine Elementary School, Hollywood High School and the University of Southern California for both undergraduate and graduate degrees. During his time at USC, he served in the naval reserves. Upon graduation from USC Mo went to work for the Fluor Corporation. Shortly thereafter he was drafted into the army during the Korean War era and was stationed at Fort Ord , Monterey CA for his service. He enjoyed northern California so much he relocated to the Bay Area starting work at Eitel McCullough Corporation and then at Varian Associates post acquisition. Mo had a long and rewarding career at Varian as Vice-president of Human Resources and International Relations. He married the late Margaret McCrady in 1961. They lived in Zug, Switzerland for several years before returning to California where they settled in Woodside and welcomed son Stephen into the family. The family lived in Woodside for 20+ years. In 1989, after retiring from Varian, Mo worked for a time with Hughes & Associates located in Boston. In early 1991 Mo met Joan who became his wife in 1996. They lived in Atherton CA for 24 years. She added her 5 grown children to the family and Mo and Joan welcomed 11 grandchildren over the years.

Mo is survived by his sister, Shirley; his beloved son Stephen, wife Nicole and children Paige and Curtis; and his adoring wife Joan and her children Daisy Hagey and husband Robert Bryne, Hank Hagey and wife Johanna, children Emma, Rowan and Cameron , Sandy Manley, husband Bud and children Liam, Lily, Arthur and Lucy, Sophy Hagey, and Susannah Johnson and children Indiana and Levi.

Mo enjoyed skiing until his 75th year and golf and tennis until his 89th birthday. Mo loved classic cars, WWII airplanes, good books, good music and an ice cold martini."Seldom stirred, never shaken, always a classic." Mo was kind, erudite and articulate.

Donations can be made in his honor to Young Americas Foundation (yaf.org) or an organization of your choosing.

"WHAT AN ELEGANT MAN"