I. Lee Sanders

Irving Lee Sanders

Loving uncle, loyal lover, faithful friend, world traveler, ardent equestrian, avid opera enthusiast, an accomplished pianist, garden designer, and gracious host, Irving Lee Sanders--better known to the world as Lee, calmly mounted his horse at 4:35 P.M. Wednesday, February 20, 2008, charged forward, and glancing back, hollered, "Until we see each other again." Galloping onward and away, he rode "Beyond the blue horizon".

Upon his arrival "there", people started laughing, became happier, began forgetting all those little trivial things that get in the way of happiness. With Lee now there, they assuredly began feeling healthier and happier about themselves.

Lee taught us that happiness happens inside and not outside ourselves. For, as all could see, he was a naturally happy man, young at heart. He was always in the present with us, never carrying past or old excess baggage; uncorrupted, he listened with undivided attention.

Lee was a devoted and selfless son; mother and son treasured each other. He loved to cook and work in his garden. He was an accomplished pianist and an avid patron of the arts, specially a patron and financial contributor to Wagnerian opera and Wagner's The Ring.

Stationed at the Presidio in San Francisco, Lee was a 1st Lieutenant in the US Army from 1955 to 1957. He graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, then went on to England and received a Masters degree in Economics. Going ahead for training in the US Foreign Service and becoming a widely experienced and respected diplomat in 1958, he served in Spain, Uruguay, Romania, WA DC, and New York. After 25 years of service, he retired.

For the next 25 plus years Lee traveled intensely on his own. He met others along the way over the years…and the fruit of that resulted in a horseback-riding group of dear friends who Lee treasured and with whom he was always in contact. He trusted them and was trusted, he loved and was loved, he laughed and they all laughed, he cried and so did they, and a fun and wonderful pianist where we all gathered around and sang with gusto. He was a rarity among men…what a lovely Man!

Lee began his travels on this Earth of ours March 9, 1932, 4:30am. He embarked on his new journey 20 February 2008, at 4:35 pm, short of his 76th birthdate. He is joined there by his brothers, Don and Edmond, his beloved mother, Grace Rector Knoblauch, step-father Knobby and father Edmond C Sanders. Lee was the last male in this line of Sanders.

At his bedside, until his last breath in this world, were the love of his life, partner M Jorge Silguero Hernandez, and his niece Nancy Larson, whom Lee treasured. He temporally leaves behind Jorge, Nancy and her husband, Marty and their children; his nieces Theresa and Mary, his nephews Edmond and Steven and their children; and his friend Linda Sanders. Leaving behind as well is Barbara Sanders, his beloved sister in law, with whom he shared a cruise to the South Pacific and many get "togethers" at the VFW in Bellevue.

Staying behind as well are his equestrian horseback riding buddies and other dear friends whom Lee so loved being about with: musician friend Joseph, whom he met in New York over 55 years ago and shared so many conversations with; Christine, who he met in the 60's and who introduced him to horseback riding. Other equestrian and friends who remember him with love are Susan, Elsa, Georgia, Jack, George, Brenda, David and Min, Debbie, Joanna, Jane, Fran and Rick, Etta, Larry, Greg and family, Dulce and Wayne plus his high school buddy, Barbara Coffin and our Neighborhood Watch Winifred, and the many and many other friends, riders and travelers he enjoyed and journeyed along with,

Then there are those who he knew internationally: from Spain, Enrique; from Uruguay, Palo and his sister Teresa, and Luis his long time friends from the days of his foreign service; then others who he knew from Washington DC, Greece, Barbados, England, India, Morocco, Egypt. Just to many to all mention!

Lee was grateful to all those who came upon his bedside at home to sit with him, as he was concerned about Jorge becoming "rundown": Nancy, who was constantly at his bedside, Kelly, Juanita, a at home private care provider, Oliver, Susan and Don our neighbors, Linda, and Greg.

He was also grateful to the hospice team who also provided the utmost care for him at home: Steve, Ella, Emma, Shannon and especially, Erin. Lee cryingly said, 'She is such a caring woman!"…and indeed, he was talking about Erin. Bless her soul!

As Christine wrote to Lee, "I have always admired and loved your indomitable spirit and that great sense of humor of yours."

Nancy and Marty wrote, "You've given so much of yourself so often without expecting anything in return you've the best Uncle anyone could ever have and you're loved more than words can say and we will miss our time we had together talking about everything and anything and lunches and Dinner we share and love so much".

As Linda wrote, "I often wondered why you stayed out here in Seattle.

I'm glad you did. I would have missed our "serious" conversations about the world or the current family situation or life in general. Thank you for letting me share your life and for being part of my life, Lee. Blessings until we meet again, my friend!

As Christie wrote to him, "He didn't bother with little trifles…but communicated so genuinely and with grace… Such a good listener! Concerned and supportive in his responses".

As Kim added, "From you I have learned what joy can come from a 'no holds barred' attitude toward life…a way about you…a generosity, thoughtfulness, a sharp wit and intelligence, a joie de vivre that is a delight to be around".

Greg also wrote, "Lee was a hero to me….

Who else would retire early from the foreign service and his chock-full professional life: roaming the world's capitals with its easy, continuing access to fascinating people and great intellectual, musical, and culinary feastings in the greetings; with the amazing riding opportunities; and the availability of all of his beloved forms of music in the best of performances--to come to what was NOT yet a cultural Mecca in the 1980's, little old Seattle' He was in the midst of so much he loved and lived fully in the early 80's. But come back he did, without hesitation or second thought.

His beloved mom, Grace, needed someone to watch over her. And so he did, faithfully, joyfully well, with a few wry comments from time to time from his magical house off 22nd Ave and 52nd St., a little piece of Manhattan that floated off the hill to the East high in the trees, overlooking his simple high school home, Grace's new apartment, Lake Washington and the Cascades. Lee knew what was important. What love and respect really are, and how to live and promote them. He was not about himself.

He taught others by how he lived and laughed. His infectious laugh and twinkling eyes always up to something, taking it all in, made him irrepressibly fun for his contemporaries and us younger folks, and even the very little ones. He was always fully present to people, not matter their age…he became much like a very older brother… He knew and promoted self respect.… I will miss the ability to see Lee terribly. But I will have his laugh and twinkle and friendship with me forever".

As Jane wrote, "his extraordinary bravery on horseback…his wicked sense of humour…the delight he gave us…at the piano and we gathered around and sang songs boisterously and unforgettably. I felt a deep bond of friendship, trust and affection between us".

As Fran wrote to Lee, "…that sense of humor, your wit, your kindness, your intelligence and your gentleness…thank you for sharing of yourself….

As Luis from Uruguay wrote, "you have been a 'seed-thrower' throwing seeds of love, talent and sympathy…".

As Joseph wrote, ""Thank you, Lee, for your ingratiating sense of humor which often brought joy to my heart when it inevitably provoked mutual laughter. For this I forgive you for hoging the piano bench whenever we played duets! J.A.D.Surace"

Jorge said to Lee, "I shall always miss and remember first, your presence, touching and loving; Jorge writes, "I will always miss your culinary lessons, going shopping for plants; attending the theatre, the opera, and the symphony, going to the movies and eating popcorn; dining out; shopping; yearly vacationing; entertaining at home; watching the news; horseback riding, swimming and snorkeling; climbing trees; kayaking; sitting at home quietly; gardening; going to the wine country; going for walks at the mall, practicing yoga together; argue without holding a grudge; laughing and criticizing TV and newscasters; glancing at him reading his New Yorker, Economist, The Intelligence and the New York Times every morning; and after all that, the best was both retiring for the evening".

As Sharon said, "Remember that love never dies, it just changes forms until we can be together again."

In some form or another, everyone Lee knew wanted a piece of him. Until we are together again, we shall always remember you and salute you, Irving Lee Sanders.

Interment 20 March 2008, Thursday at 1:00pm Tahoma National Cemetery Kent, WA 98042. On his memory donations to Seattle Opera 206-389-7600 or Fred Hutchinson Lung Cancer Research Center 206-667-4902