Obituary of Kenneth Frederick Sanderson

Died, July 1st, 2004 of cancer, at home, and in the arms of his wife. Born Sept. 26, 1937 in Lloydminster, Alberta, to Avis and Charles Nolan. As his mother died tragically in childbirth Ken was adopted and raised with great love by Gladys and Fred Sanderson. Ken was predeceased by his sister Marjorie and his parents. He is survived by his devoted wife, Cheryl Sanderson, sons, K. Neil and Colin and their mother Teresa Sanderson, sister Joyce Symes, and brother Walter Nolan. Ken also leaves half-siblings, Sherry McFadzean, and Jack, Pat and Bob Nolan, as well as his many cousins, nieces and nephews. He will also be sadly missed by his former wife, Joan Sanderson, and her children, Randy, Jason, Leanne, Cheryl and Caroline. Ken graduated from Brooks High School in 1955 and from University of Alberta with a B.Sc. in Geology in 1959. As a young man, he was an avid hockey player. Later he relished the competition of curling and baseball. An important part of Ken’s life was the field work he did as a Geology student, working from 1956-1959 in the foothills of southern Alberta, prospecting in the Yukon and Alaska and working on surface parties in northern Yukon and the Liard plateau. During his long career, starting with PanAmerican, he worked on the geology of Alberta, B.C. and Saskatchewan, and was a member of the CSPG and APEGGA. Ken was a keen explorationist who never lost his interest or enthusiasm for working up a new “prospect”. Ken was a very private individual with a particularly acute sense of observation that never failed to amuse his wife. He valued his longtime friends like Charlie Kaser, Bob Vickerson and the late Hugh Tatham. Ken looked forward to whatever new men’s fashions his favourite haberdasher showed him. He always looked elegant and well turned out at work or at home. Although Ken could be prickly and make his feelings known, he was sensitive, kind and gentle by nature. He was most happy with his dogs, Andy on his lap, and Owen at his feet, listening to classical music or reading mystery novels. He was also a great fan of his wife’s cooking, encouraging her to carry on in her competent way, with him as spectator rather than as participant in the kitchen. An inveterate sports enthusiast, Ken cheered on the Stamps and the Flames, in good years and bad. In addition, he loved the outdoors, especially in pheasant hunting season. Donations made in memory of Ken to the Diabetes Association or the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated by the family. Funeral Services will be held at Grace Presbyterian Church (1009 – 15th Avenue S.W.) on Monday, July 5, 2004 at 1:00 P.M. with the Rev. Leslie Walker officiating. In living memory of Kenneth Sanderson, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W., CALGARY, TELEPHONE: (403) 243-8200.