SANDERSON, Leonard Keith

January 1, 1970 — January 1, 1970

Leonard Keith Sanderson took his final flight on Wednesday, February 11, 2015.  Keith is predeceased by his parents Stanley and Mettie Sanderson, a brother Edwin (Louise) Sanderson and sister Rita (Bill) Gwynne.  He is survived by Jacqueline, his loving wife of 62 years and beloved daughter Jennifer (Ron) Woods and beloved son Richard (Andrea) Sanderson as well as his two dearly loved grandchildren, Scott and Laura Sanderson.  He will also be mourned by Carmen Sanderson.

Keith was born in Edmonton, Alberta on July 24, 1931.  Upon graduation from Victoria High School he worked as a draftsman for Edmonton City Telephones, Pacific Petroleum and on a geophysical crew in southern Alberta.  He played in a swing band (clarinet and alto saxophone) at many different locations, including Waterton National Park.  In 1952 he married Jacqueline (Jackie) Seifert. 

Encouraged by his brother-in-law, William (Bill) Gwynne, Keith embarked on a flying career and upon achieving his commercial pilot’s licence, joined Trans Canada Airlines Air Canada in September 1953.  While based in Vancouver, he became a supervisory pilot in 1974 and went on to become Base Director in Winnipeg, later moving to Montreal to assume the position of Personnel Director and finally Senior Director of Flying for Air Canada.  He returned to Vancouver to become Base Director of both Vancouver and Winnipeg bases.  Keith was also active in IATA (International Air Transport Association) as well as the Canadian Airline Pilots’ Association prior to his supervisory positions.  Keith flew the DC3, Vickers Viscount and Vanguard, Lockheed Super Constellation, Boeing 727, Douglas DC8 and Lockheed L1011, while domiciled in Calgary, Montreal, Vancouver and Winnipeg, completing nearly 38 years as a line and supervisory pilot, the last two years of which were flying the Boeing 747 on Air Canada’s global routes to India and the far east.  In 1967 he flew the Queen’s entourage on her tour of BC.  He also headed a team to do an operational audit of Air Saudia, presenting the report to the crown prince of Saudi Arabia. 

Keith was active in the various churches to which the family belonged, serving on church councils in North Vancouver and Victoria.  With a team from his church in Victoria, he helped to build a home for a needy family in Mexico.  He and Jackie retired to Arbutus Ridge on Vancouver Island where he became active again in music after an absence of 50 years; joining the Cowichan Civic Orchestra and a swing band in Victoria.  Keith was an accomplished artist and was a member of the Artists’ Association at Arbutus Ridge.  He loved boating and enjoyed exploring the Gulf Islands and San Juans with his family, introducing his two grandchildren, Scott and Laura Sanderson to his favorite islands.  He was active in the United Way, heading a team which was named Canvasser of the Year for Arbutus Ridge in 2002 and 2004.  His final move was to Kelowna where he continued to express his love of music with the Little Big Band, playing music from the 40’s to seniors in care homes and other venues.  He also played in the Kelowna City Band and was a member of the Kelowna Palette Club as well as the Aviation Artists’ Association. 

A memorial service will be held Friday, February 20, 2015 at 10:00 am at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Rd, Kelowna, BC.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Association of Kelowna as well as the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.  If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Share Your Condolences.”

Service Details

The service for SANDERSON, Leonard Keith is scheduled for Friday, February 20, 2015 at 10:00 am . Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.

Address & Contact for Service Location:

Springfield Funeral Home

2020 Springfield Road Kelowna, BC

Phone:

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Special Requests:

None.

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