Dr. Richard Lee Sanders, Ed.D., passed away peacefully the evening of September 21, 2019 at the age of 82 in River Falls, Wisconsin.
Richard was born on January 2, 1937 in Clintonville, Wisconsin, the son of Claude H. Sanders and Lucille (Wedde) Sanders. He graduated from Clintonville High School in 1955. Richard was married to Janice (Miles) Sanders on August 30, 1958. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin—Eau Claire with a degree in vocal and instrumental music. He worked for Wisconsin Public Schools from 1959-1966, and taught music in Milwaukee and West Allis, Wisconsin. Richard earned a master’s degree in educational psychology from the University of Wisconsin—Madison in 1966. He accepted a position as a research associate for the Milwaukee Public Schools and worked in that position from 1966—1967. From 1967—1971, he was registrar and assistant professor of psychology and education at Lakeland College in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. He earned a doctorate in educational psychology from Marquette University in 1971 and held successive positions as associate dean, dean of students, and dean of community services at Lakewood (now Century) Community College in White Bear Lake, Minnesota from 1971—81. While at Lakewood, he held a concurrent appointment as an adjunct instructor with Bemidji State University and taught graduate courses at its extension center in White Bear Lake. In 1981, he was appointed as president of Lincoln Trail College in Robinson, Illinois, a position he held for three years. He then became president of Mattatuck Community College in Waterbury, Connecticut in 1984. During his tenure as president, Mattatuck Community College was merged with Waterbury State Technical College, resulting in a change of name to Naugatuck Valley Community College. He retired as president of Naugatuck Valley Community College in 2007. After retiring, Richard and his wife, Jan, moved to Conroe, Texas, and lived there until 2014, at which time they relocated to Troy, Ohio. In 2018, they moved to River Falls, Wisconsin. Richard and Janice celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary on August 30th, 2019.
Survivors include his wife, Janice; sons, Scott, Todd (Mitch) and Zachary, and one daughter, Nicolle (Nikki) (Sanders) Siriani. His grandchildren include: Jessica Sanders Steele, Lauren Sanders, Emily Sanders, Cadence Siriani, Miles Siriani, Adelle Sanders, and Tristian Sanders. His great-grandchildren include, Kallie Newbauer and Charlie Steele. Richard is preceded in death by his parents, one daughter, Jennifer Elizabeth Sanders, and one grandson, David Scott Sanders.
Dr. Sanders was a member of numerous local, state and national committees, boards, and organizations associated with higher education and community service in all locations where he resided. Both he and his wife Jan were active singers and directors of church choirs and community and oratorio choruses in all the communities where they lived as well as doing extensive acting and directing of community theater. Later in life as a retiree, he directed Readers’ Theater at Lone Star College in The Woodlands, Texas and at the Vandalia Senior Center in Vandalia, Ohio and wrote and published three plays, all comedies.
The family would like to thank Dr. Long, the River Falls Area Hospital, and Kinnic Health and Rehab for their care and support of Richard.
A private family service will take place at a later date. Memorial donations in Richard’s name can be made through the following website: foundation4schoolmusic.org or sent to: Wisconsin Foundation for School Music, 1005 Quinn Drive, Waunakee, WI 53597