Robert Matthew Sanford

Robert Matthew Sanford, 91, of Fredericksburg, VA passed away on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at Mary Washington Hospital. Mr. Sanford was a devout Catholic. He was a long term member of Saint Mary of The Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church. He often expressed that he felt very fortunate to have been blessed with a full, happy, and healthy life enriched with a large family, a productive and rewarding work career, an opportunity to live in some really nice places; the enjoyment of his many hobbies; and a lot of positive personal and family experiences. He attributed it to the grace of God. He could fix practically anything. He did his own yard, car, and house maintenance work. His house and property were always well maintained. Wherever he lived he had head turning lawns.

Born in in a sharecroppers house in Plainwell, Michigan on April 2, 1934, Mr. Sanford grew up in Bono, Ohio where his parents subsequently moved in 1937. He lived in small living quarters in back of a tavern. Helping out on a farm during WWII, as a remote bystander, he incurred severe crippling leg burns in a gasoline fire. Missing the 3rd grade and not being able to walk for over a year; he successfully recovered from the immobilizing effects and emotional trauma associated with the burns via his faith in God, self-determination, and arduous personal rehabilitation.

Bob was an honor student. He was Class President and Valedictorian at Jerusalem Township Elementary School. He pitched the fast-pitch softball team to a league championship and exceled as a member of the basketball team, that also won a league championship. He graduated from Clay High School in Oregon, Oho in 1953. He served as Jr. and Sr. Class President; 4-year member of the Student Council; and class Valedictorian. He excelled as a varsity baseball pitcher and aided the team to a league championship. After graduation he worked his way through college by working full time on the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway System in Walbridge, Ohio as a conductor/brakeman. He earned a BBA degree with Industrial Management major from the University of Toledo in June 1958.

He married Dolores Simon in St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic church, Toledo, Ohio on Dec 29, 1956. Mr. Sanford was a private person. Few people knew of his personal life or achievements. Throughout his work career, he was presented with various inordinate challenges. He turned around manufacturing operations with millions in assets and multitudes of employees resulting in over two billion dollars in annual savings. He held positions of Superintendent, Plant Manager, and Director of Operations for Fortune 500 companies RCA, Masco Industries, and Mallory Battery (Duracell). In 1981 he accepted a leading Manufacturing Engineering position in a Military Electronic Division of E-Systems in Fairfax, VA. He introduced and established automation programs and made major manufacturing and quality improvements. He is biographically listed in Research Publications, Inc. 1986 "Who's Who in Technology," 5th Edition under Manufacturing Engineering.

He was an outstanding fast-pitch softball pitcher for over 25 years. He pitched for teams in Toledo and Findlay, Ohio and Indianapolis, Indiana. He registered an unusually high number of strikeouts and pitched numerous no hitters. He received several outstanding pitcher and most valuable player awards. He was a sport enthusiast and an ardent Red Sox and Notre Dame football fan. He golfed for over 20 years and won low handicap at an RCA sponsored tournament at Purdue University in 1972. Doing his own engine and auto modifications, he dragged raced at the Monrovia, Maryland 75-80 ¼ mile IHRA Sanctioned dragstrip. In 1995 he won the Central Maryland ET National Drag Racing Championship and was presented with an impressive three tier 5-foot trophy. He won a multitude of trophies.

Mr. Sanford had a unique sense of humor, broad intelligence, high integrity and morals, empathy, and compassion. He will be missed by all those who knew him. He was very family oriented. When their family was growing up, they enjoyed various family outings. Taking his family to Cedar Point amusement Park in Sandusky, Ohio was an annual event. He spent the bulk of his allotted annual vacation visiting siblings and in-laws; and, In later years, out of state married children. Between business and vacation, he visited 40 states.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, August and Mary (Aubry) Tank; parents, Gilbert and Vivian (Tank) Sanford; sister, Mary Ann; brother, Jim; brother-in-law, Dan Reardon; numerous cousins, aunts and, uncles; infant son, Elzie; and son, Greg, who tragically died in 2015.

He is survived 7 children, Connie Davidson, Jenny Markham, Julie Lynn, Cindy Boger, Jeff Sanford, Doug Sanford, and Sarah Rose; 19 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; sister, Dolores Reardon of Fremont, Ohio; sister-in-law, Barbara of Curtice, Ohio; and 7 nieces and 3 nephews.

A funeral mass will be held at a later date at Saint Ignatius Catholic Church in Oregon, OH followed by a burial in the church cemetery.

Per Mr. Sanford's desires, the family requests that in lieu of flowers any donations be made to St Philip Neri Catholic Church - 292 Munn Road East· Fort Mill, SC in the honor of his deceased son Gregory Robert Sanford.

Online condolences may be sent at www.mullinsthompsonfredericksburg.com