Robert Sanderson, 79

Robert Sanderson, a longtime resident of Marion, Massachusetts, died early in the morning of Monday, January 9, 2023. He was 79.

Bob was born June 23, 1943, in Boston and grew up in Dedham and Marion with his mother, Elizabeth Moller Sanderson and three siblings: Ken, Jane and Colin. His father Robert, a physician, died in 1945.

Bob attended Sippican School in Marion, Phillips Academy, Andover, and the University of California, Berkeley where he was active in the free speech movement and played with several jazz bands.

After his first marriage ended in divorce, he returned to Marion where he met Barbara (Barbi) Brewster (née Allen) while singing in the St Gabriel’s Church choir. The two were married in June 1987. Bob and Barbi started Jonathan’s Sprouts in 1976 and provided organic sprouts, micro greens and other produce to restaurants and markets throughout the Northeast until selling the business to family members last year.

Bob was a devoted musician, playing flute and clarinet for the Tri-County Symphonic Band, several small instrumental groups, as well as playing at many functions in the community.

An admirer of the work of Buckminster Fuller, he was passionate about geodesic structures and designed straw models to bring Fuller concepts to the public in a hands-on way. A related project was his production of Meganets ©, geometric shapes that can be arranged to form many different designs on magnetic boards.

At St. Gabriel’s church he sang in the choir for many years.

Bob is survived by his wife, Barbi, brothers Colin and Ken, his daughter Samantha Sanderson, stepchildren Donald and Francie Brewster, and five grandchildren, as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Services were held at St Gabriel’s Church, 124 Front Street in Marion, MA on January 21 at 11 AM and livestreamed at StGabrielsMarion.org. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Gabriel’s Church Choir. For online tributes, please visit: www.waring-sullivan.com