Sanford Kay Walters

Sanford “Sandy” Walters of Baltimore County, a man of profound intellect and unwavering devotion to his family, died at the age of 80 on December 24, 2025, from complications of heart disease.

Sandy and his wife, Connie, shared a remarkable 56-year marriage built on a foundation of love. He is also survived by his children, Nicholas Walters (wife Lili) and their three children Valentina, Jozef, and Santino; and April Walters (husband Travis Hopkins). He was the son of the late David Meyer Walters and Rebecca Kaiser Walters, and brother to Harvey Walters and the late Barbara and Alan Walters. Sandy and his family wish to acknowledge the Kelly family members and team, especially Kathleen Gier, for their support at this time.

A Career of Innovation and Service

An insurance executive for over 40 years, Sandy spent the last 26 years at Kelly Benefits, where he served as Executive Vice President, Chief Industry Innovation Officer, and Strategic Advisor. Prior to joining Kelly, he was President and Co-founder of Corporate Healthcare Financing Inc. Known to colleagues as the "Resident Genius" for his creative problem-solving and encyclopedic recall, he was a pillar of his industry.

Sandy’s expertise was recognized by Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, who appointed him to two boards to guide the state's healthcare initiatives. He also served on the University of Baltimore Merrick School of Business Insurance Program and as Chairman of the Board of the Society of Professional Benefit Administrators (SPBA). In 2024, he received the Industry Excellence Award from the Maryland Chapter of (NABIP).

A Proud Patriot and Bronze Star Veteran

Sanford was a graduate of City College (’63), the University of Maryland (BS ’67), and the University of Baltimore (MBA ’80). He graduated from Officers Candidate School (OCS) at Fort Benning in 1968 and served in Vietnam as an infantry officer with Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV). A Bronze Star recipient, Sandy famously had a bounty placed on his head by the North Vietnamese during his deployment. He left the service as a First Lieutenant but maintained a lifelong bond with his OCS classmates, attending bi-annual reunions for over 30 years.

A Renaissance Man

Despite his professional stature, Sandy was a man of diverse passions. He was a lifelong Baltimore sports fan, cherishing memories of the 1958 Colts Giants Championship game known as the "Greatest Game Ever" with his father. He shared his greatest sports moments with his son, Nick, including attending Cal Ripken’s record-breaking 2131 game and witnessing the Ravens' first Super Bowl win in Tampa. In later years, he and Connie traveled extensively, exploring six of the seven continents together.

His daughter, April, remembers him as a "real Renaissance man" who looked for the best in everyone. His son, Nick, recalls with a smile Sandy's transition from high-powered executive to "gentleman farmer"—a role he took on solely because he loved Connie. While she loved the animals, Sandy loved his wife, and so he dedicated himself to caring for her farm together.

Love and Legacy: The Giraffes and the Letters

The foundation of Sandy and Connie’s 56-year marriage was built while they were students at the University of Maryland. In a pre-digital era, they famously "crisscrossed" in their correspondence; on several occasions, they both wrote to each other about the same song—“Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You” by Frankie Valli. They discovered days later when their letters arrived that they had both independently chosen that song to express exactly how they felt about each other.

The whimsical side of this devotion was seen in his famous giraffe collection. Lacking the money for an engagement ring when they first dated, Sandy gave Connie a 5-foot stuffed giraffe instead. This sparked a lifelong theme, resulting in a collection of over 1,000 giraffes at home and 100 in his office.

His love for Christmas and his deep patriotism made his Winter Open Houses and 4th of July celebrations legendary. He was a member of the Maryland Center for Veterans Education and Training (MCVET), the Jewish War Veterans of the USA, and the American Legion. Few things made Sandy happier than giving to others; in a final act of generosity, he served as an organ donor.

Donations: In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Maryland Center for Veterans for Education and Training, MCVET, 301 North High Street, Baltimore, MD 21202 (www.mcvet.org) or the Diabetes Research Institute, 1450 N.W. 10th Avenue, 2nd Floor, Miami, FL 33136 (www.diabetesresearch.org)

A committal service will be held at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens, located at 200 E Padonia Rd, Timonium, MD 21093, United States. The service is scheduled for December 30, 2025 at 11:00 am