Robert "Bob" V. Sanders Jr.

Robert V. (Bob) Sanders, Jr. passed away on the 26th of December, 2016 at the age of 89. He was a life-long resident of Birmingham, AL and attended Norwood, Grammar School, Phillips high School and Howard College (Samford University). He also served in the US Army during WWII. He also received his Master’s Degree in Hospital Administration from UAB. He was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Social Fraternity and a Mason.

His proudest accomplishments were his active roles in his Church. He was a long time member of First Baptist Church where he served as the Chairman of Deacons, Sunday School Director. He also served as the Director of the Birmingham Baptist Association Royal Ambassador Program. At the time of death, he was an active member of Vestavia Hills Baptist Church.

His mother Lula White, Elyton, AL and Father, Robert V. Sanders, Rex, Ga. were wed in Birmingham, AL by Birmingham’s beloved Brother Bryan. His grandfather was Burl Washington Sanders, Rex, Ga. Who lived to the age of 103 and told stories of how he witnessed Sherman’s march thru Atlanta, Ga during the civil war.

Robert Sanders served as the Administrator of Hill Crest Hospital and President of the Hill Crest Foundation for twenty years until his retirement. He continued to serve as Chairman to the Board of Directors until 2016. Prior to serving at Hill Crest, he was employed by the Norwood Clinic / Hospital, the Union supply division of US Steel Corporation and Ingalls Shipbuilding Corporation.

He was twice elected as the President of the Birmingham Regional Hospital Council and twice served as the Chairman of the Area Wide Health Planning Agency for The Five County Wide Area for Jefferson, Shelby, Blount, St. Clair and Walker Counties.

He was elected President of the National Association of Private Psychiatric Hospitals, an organization of 140 International Private Psychiatric Hospitals, located in the United States, Canada and Europe. He aslo served as a Trustee of the Alabama Hospital Association.

Bob was preceded in death by his first wife and the mother of his children Bettye Joan Sanders. He is survived by his wife, Patsy Freeman, children Rob (Michelle), Mike (Joy), Barre (Susan), Joan Carder (Mike) and two step-children Jeff Perry (Carmen) and Susan Dukes (Jeff). He also leaves behind 13 grandchildren, eight step-grandchildren and a host of great-grandchildren.

Services to be Thursday, December 29th at 11:00 with visitation at 10:00 at Vestavia Hills Baptist Church. Graveside to follow at Elmwood.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Vestavia Hills Baptist Church.