James Vincent Sanders

1932-2023

Carmel Valley

Our much loved father, Jim, passed peacefully at CHOMP at 90 with his daughters at his side, from pneumonia and complications from dysphagia. One of the last things he said was “One of the sweetest words in the English language is Daddy”. He was born in Twinsburg, Ohio to James and Helen Sanders and attended Kent State University, where he met his life’s love, Marilyn, to whom he was married for 63 years. He started a graduate degree in physics and a family while at Cornell University. In 1961, our parents packed up their brand new Rambler along with their two-year-old daughter to start a long career as a physics professor at the Naval Post Graduate School (NPS) in Monterey, California.

In 2004, Jim was awarded the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award for 43 years of service at NPS, where he was recognized for his willingness to be both a friend and mentor to his students. He also served as the Academic Associate and Associate Chair for Instruction. In his “free” time, our father participated in the Scientific Inquiry Workshops, and Discovery Day. He also organized and led the judging for the Monterey County Science Fair.

One of his proudest contributions to the scientific community was his joint authorship of the popular text book, “The Fundamentals of Acoustics” known by acousticians worldwide as “KFCS”. He also received the 2009 Rossing Prize for acoustics education.

Our father never lost his childhood passion for making model airplanes and for reading about aviation history. In 1975, he started editing and publishing the magazine “Small Air Forces Observer” (SAFO), to address the dearth of knowledge of the smaller air forces worldwide, especially behind the Iron Curtain. The last edition was published in 2018. Over 5,400 pages of SAFO have now been accepted into the Smithsonian National Air and Space Archives.

But most of all, he wanted to be remembered as a good father with a quick and wry sense of humor: Our dad was our rock and he will be greatly missed. We will endeavor to carry on one of his favorite mottos: “Always leave a place better than when you found it.” We know he certainly has.

Jim is predeceased by parents James and Helen, wife Marilyn, daughter Maria Sanders, and the best dog ever, Berkeley. He is survived by his sister Sandra Schachter, his daughters Kathleen Sanders-Curtis, Renee Sanders, Ariane Thomsen, and grandchildren Christina and Alexander James.

Jim’s grandfather left Poland in the mid 1800’s to avoid the constant mortal strife in Eastern Europe. We feel that our father would appreciate that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to World Central Kitchen for Ukraine (https://donate.wck.org). An informal memorial service will be held at St. Dunstan’s Church later this year. Continue to visit the Paul Mortuary website for further information.