Obituary of David Borden Sanders

Dr. David Borden Sanders passed away suddenly on September 8 at age 70. He is survived by his wife of 44 years Pamela; eldest son Michael and wife Pandora, and youngest son Rob; sister Janet and her husband Gavin and their three children; sister-in-law Ann and husband Ron and their two children, and sister-in-law Mary and husband Michael and their two children; and golden retriever Morgan. David was the son-in-law of Alan and Mary Lee Alway.

David was born August 22, 1954 in Welland, Ontario to Jean and Charles Borden Sanders. He grew up with a thirst for knowledge, a photographic memory, and an adventurous spirit. From an early age, he was fascinated by how things work, the outdoors, and had the dream to become a physician.

In his teenage years, he was a camp counselor where he taught kids how to canoe and trip through the wilderness, and was once struck by lightning. Some people joke about how David acquired his remarkable intelligence via that electric shock, but those close to him know the brilliance had been inside him since birth.

A graduate of Western University—the school where he met his wife Pamela—David went on to become an award-winning Specialist in Internal Medicine at Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital for 40 years. Adored and respected by patients and staff, David lived life by his motto of “saving lives and curing disease.” He was a deeply empathetic physician who cared for his patients, appreciated the profound abilities of the human body, and solved complex puzzles to treat those under his care.

David was a golf fanatic, having played 846 golf courses in Ontario (there were only four in the province that he had left to play) and 1,271 worldwide. He was a passionate photographer whose work adorns walls and galleries around the globe. He loved puzzles—crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, riddles, puzzles of the body and mind—and was a trivia champion of local and regional events, and a Jeopardy! champion in January 1995. David loved cars, waterskiing, music, film, scotch, walking with his dogs, and enjoying time with family and friends.

David saw the good in everyone and believed there’s something to learn from each and every person. A beacon of kindness and generosity, he lived life with a positive disposition, a presence that uplifted those around him, and a fascination for the nature of the universe. A wonderful father, husband, friend, physician, and person, David’s love for his family and friends knows no bounds.

In honour of David, donations can be made to the Strathroy Medical Society (no tax receipt will be issued).

Cremation has taken place. A private funeral for the family is being arranged by Denning Funeral Homes. David’s celebration of life will be held in Strathroy in the coming months.