Alfred M.L. Sanders

Former resident of Rockledge, FL for 49 years, peacefully passed away at Waverly Gardens, North Oaks, MN, February 22, 2017. Preceded in death by Millie, his beloved wife of 71 years, Al is survived by his son, Mike Sanders (Barbara) of Augusta, Georgia, his daughter, Winki (Len Ruiz) of Shoreview, MN, and grandchildren: Susan (Stan Harvell), Trevor Ruiz (Kanesha), Chris Ruiz (Lauren) and great grandchildren Andrew Harvell, Isabella Ruiz and great granddaughter to be, “Miss Ruiz". After graduating from LSU, Al began a twenty-year career in the Air Force beginning in 1942 during World War II. As a B-24 bomber pilot, his plane was shot down over Belgium during a mission (Purple Heart recipient); all ten crew members survived. Al was later captured three times by the Germans, but escaped four times. A later highlight of his 20 year AF career was when he was stationed in Ramstein, Germany in 1954. At this time he was able to locate many of the French, Dutch and Belgian resistance fighters and their families who hid him during the war. He maintained lifelong contacts with these families. After retiring from the Air Force, he obtained his Master’s Degree from Florida State University and went on to a second career at Brevard Junior College teaching electronics and engineering. Later, in 2014, he was honored as the first recipient of FSU’s Life Time Achievement Award from the College of Education. Al was a member of the First Baptist Church of Cocoa and the Rockledge Country Club, where he excelled in golf, winning several tournaments as a senior player. His funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on March 1, 2017 at Waverly Gardens Chapel, North Oaks, MN. Interment service to be held at 11:00 AM on March 10, 2017 at Florida Memorial Gardens, Cocoa, Florida.