Richard Brant Sanders

Richard Brant Sanders, 62, of Berrien Springs, MI passed away December 21, 2019 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. A Celebration of Life Service will take place on Saturday, January 18, 2020 at 3 PM at Heritage Chapel, 8747 US 31, Berrien Springs, MI, with Pastor Nate Wilder officiating. Friends may visit with the family an hour prior to the service at the funeral home. A private burial at Rose Hill Cemetery will take place at a later date. Memorials may be made in Rick’s name to the Community Clock Fund, c/o the Berrien Springs – Eau Claire Rotary Club, P.O. 93, Berrien Springs, MI 49103. Those who wish to leave an online condolence may do so at www.heritage-chapel.com. Rick was born June 26, 1957 in Greenville, Mississippi to Lt. Richard and Beverly (Brant) Sanders. At the tender age of 6, his father, an Air Force Pilot, was killed during take-off in Battle Creek. His family left the area for a number of years before returning to Berrien Springs where he completed his Jr. and Sr. years at Berrien Springs High School, graduating in 1976. He was a well-rounded star athlete in football, baseball and basketball. As Sr. Co-Captain of the football team, Rick was named to the Red Arrow All-Conference Defense Team and Most Valuable Player. He championed the pitcher’s mound in baseball and continued to play basketball most of his adult life. Rick completed a Bachelor’s in education from Indiana State University – South Bend. He taught alternative education in Buchanan for a while before another career opportunity presented itself. He returned to school to complete an Engineering Degree and worked for Vickers Engineering in Buchanan. The last 12 years he worked as a Sr. Quality Engineer / Investigator for Stryker Instruments in Kalamazoo, MI. Rick considered Berrien Springs his home town, returning to the area to raise his daughter, Nicky, were quality education, traditions and values mattered. During this time, he spent as much time as he could on the lakes, snow plowed for people who couldn’t do it for themselves, built and sold hundreds of wood sheds, and supported the community through the Optimists Club and many community projects. Rick enjoyed hunting, especially with his bow and arrow, harvesting and processing 34 deer during his lifetime. His greatest passion was bowfishing, introduced to him by his best-friend, Mike Cortright. Through pure desire and determination Rick became a world-class bowfisherman, capturing the World Championship in 1998. He founded the Bowfishing Association of the State of Michigan, started the Bowfishing Journal and set many records including at the time Alabama’s state record with a 7’11” alligator-gar. Rick once again returned to Berrien Springs when he married the love of his life, a Berrien Springs classmate, Cynthia Layman, on October 22, 2016 at the Old Rugged Cross Church. Together they settled in and began a life on Lake Chapin surrounded by family and long-time friends. He recently acquired his dream airboat and began fishing where he was most at home on the lakes and rivers in southwest Michigan seeking adventure at every turn. Rick was all about family, adventure, enjoying everyday life and spending time with and teaching his beloved grandsons to fish, play sports and most of all have fun. Rick is survived by his wife, Cynthia Layman; daughter, Nicky (Zach) Rodman; grandsons, Ryan, Graham and Owen Rodman; mother, Beverly (Larry) Davis; sisters, Debbie (Mike) Vandeveer and Joey Wagner; brother, Greg (Cindy) Sanders; several nieces and nephews and former wife, Rebecca (Meyer) Sanders. Rick was preceded by his father, Richard Sanders.