Robert Van Fleet Sanders

Robert “Bob” Van Fleet Sanders passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on December 15, 2024. His 93 years were filled with family, friends, success, tragedy, and countless humorous escapades. His stories were legendary and will keep us laughing long after his passing. Bob was determined to remain in good health through physical fitness, his mindfulness and meditation practice, and by engaging in work he found fulfilling. It is hard to imagine a world without him.

Bob was born to Newell “Hod” Sanders and Clover Johnson Sanders on July 8, 1931, in Los Angeles, California. The family moved to Kaysville, Utah in 1938 where they started their fledgling potato chip business, Clover Club Foods. At a time when the community was recovering from the Great Depression, Clover Club offered employment opportunities, making a positive impact on the Kaysville economy.

Bob attended Davis High School and graduated in 1949. He was the student body president and proudly served as water boy for the Davis Darts basketball team. He worked for the family business throughout his high school and college years. Bob was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity at the University of Utah and graduated in 1953 with a degree in accounting. He earned his certificate as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) that same year; he was the youngest CPA in Utah. He attended the Graduate School of Business at Brigham Young University while employed as a computer systems designer for U.S. Steel’s Utah Geneva Works, notably streamlining payroll for a large and growing workforce. Bob honorably served in the United States Army Reserves as a Sergeant focusing on weapons instruction, specifically sharp shooting.

Bob returned to Clover Club in 1959 and was the Chief Executive Officer for 27 years. Bob took the company through many growth cycles, until it was sold in 1986, at a time when independent manufacturers were consolidating with larger, national organizations. However, you may still be able to find a bag of branded Clover Club chips including the Utah company origin story that Bob and his family were dedicated to for so long.

Among his many accomplishments, Bob served as a board member at Farmers State Bank, of Pyke Manufacturing, and as Treasurer of the Salt Lake Advertising Federation. He was on the board of the Salt Lake Acting Company and the Utah Symphony. Bob was Chairman of The Board of Trustees of Rowland Hall-St. Marks School, Chairman of the school’s Development Committee, as well as the Board’s Nominating Committee. His efforts helped secure funding for Rowland Hall’s physical expansion. Bob also served as Finance Chair and Treasurer of International Volunteers in Urology. He assisted these organizations in strategic planning, motivating others to join him in giving their time and talents for the greater good.

Bob met the love of his life, Gail, editor of the Chipper Magazine, at a regional snack food convention. They married on Christmas Day, 1975 in Hod and Clover’s living room. Bob and Gail supported one another, offering a safe and loving place where they could both come for clarity, reinforcement, and always for love. Together, they traveled extensively and grew the Sanders family.

Bob was a brilliant teacher and mentor who changed lives and life trajectories for many through his selfless service to others. He shared his love, kindness, talent, generosity, and wisdom – and many, many stories – with all. Known for his dry sense of humor, Bob never dwelled on disappointment. He found meaning in every person and had a unique capacity to connect with people of all ages – he made people feel special.

As a boy, Bob loved train travel across the country and taking the train from Kaysville to attend big band concerts at The Great Saltair. He excelled at the violin from an early age fostering a life-long appreciation for classical music, of which he had an encyclopedic knowledge. He enjoyed visiting the Sanders family cattle ranches in Montana, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming. Bob pursued World History with a passion, recounting events with impeccable detail even a few days before he passed. Bob never ever turned down dessert and was a gourmet cook. He was a man of ritual and looked forward to weekly Thursday coffee with friends and Friday family lunch. As it became his time, Bob suffered without complaint the challenges of old age. We miss him dearly and his memory will be a blessing to all who knew him.

Bob is survived by his wife, Gail; his children, Sam Sanders (Jo), Todd Sanders, Joy Clegg, Clover Sanders (Jonathan Bone), and Alex Sanders (Jessica Nichols); and his brother, John Sanders. He adored his six grandchildren Molly and Anna Sanders, Leo and Nona June Bone, and Ida and Noa Sanders. He loved his faithful dog and companion, Georgie, who loved him too. Bob is preceded in death by his parents, younger brother Barr, his former wife Nancy Ritter, and son-in-law Jim Clegg.

The family wishes to thank Quality Hospice for their dedicated care during his final days. Bob was buried at the Kaysville City Cemetery on the morning of December 21, 2024, the day of Winter Solstice. Reverend Brad Watters officiated this comforting ceremony.

Please join us for a celebration of life on Friday, January 10 from 6-8 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East in Salt Lake City, Utah. Guests are encouraged to use parking and entrance located on the north side of the building.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the charity of your choice in Bob’s memory and enjoy an ice cream sundae in his honor.