Bruce R. Sanders

Bruce R. Sanders, an Odenton, MD resident, formerly of Livonia, MI, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on July 2, 2025, after a year-long battle with cancer. He was 70 years old.

Bruce, a twin, was born on December 13,1954 in Dearborn, MI and raised in the Presbyterian tradition becoming an Ordained Elder and Deacon. His parents were Charles Lawrence Sanders, a local 636 Pipe Fitter, and Elizabeth Mantey Sanders, a Dearborn Public School Teacher. They met after both coming to the Detroit area for their first jobs at the end of World War II.  He was from Dickson, TN and she was from Alma, MI.

Bruce graduated from Dearborn High School in 1973. He earned his Bachelor’s in Business Administration at Western Michigan University in 1977. To pay for his education, Bruce was a Bellman at the Kalamazoo Hilton (now Raddison), one of his favorite jobs. Upon graduation, he was hired by Aetna Casualty & Surety Co. and spent the next 40 years in the insurance industry; 35 years as an independent insurance agent and Certified Insurance Counselor, finishing his career with Allied Insurance Managers in 2018.

In retirement, Bruce enjoyed biking, pickleball, bowling, bread-making, and spending time with his family and friends. He was very inquisitive and enjoyed early American history tracing his genealogy back to Colonial America. Bruce was active on his Condo Association’s Board and volunteered as a business mentor with the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE).

Bruce is survived by his loving wife, Karen (Campbell) of 45 years, daughter Amy Algoet (Jeff) and their children Hannah and Connor of Severna Park, MD; son Billy (Emily) and their daughters Reese and Charley of Buffalo, NY.

Bruce was the last surviving brother. His twin brother, Brian, proceeded him in death as did his two older brothers, David, and Steve. He leaves devoted cousins Joseph (Kendra) Mantey of Farmington Hills, MI; Kathy (Tom) Fry of Apoka, FL; Dan (Lois) Sanders of Dickson, Tennessee, along with 12 nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life is planned for Wednesday July 16th with visitation from 11 am – 12 pm, with a Memorial Service at 12 pm (noon) at the Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory, P.A., 1411 Annapolis Rd., Odenton, MD. Ph: (410) 672-2200. Lunch will follow the service to continue celebrating Bruce’s life at The Hideaway, 1439 Odenton Rd., Odenton, MD.

Bruce was a kind and generous person, always willing to serve and to help others. In his memory, please feel free to donate to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance DR000148 - Disaster Relief-General Relief & PDA Support | Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

May God Bless and rest his soul.

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

Ecclesiastes 3:4 ESV