Funeral service for Mr. Hal Robison Sanders, age 87, of Fayetteville, TN, will be conducted at 11 AM on Saturday, October 19, 2019, at West End Baptist Church with Bro. Mike Johnson officiating. Visitation with the family will be held at 5 PM until 8 PM on Friday, October 18, 2019, at Higgins Funeral Home. Family and friends are invited to attend a meal at the church immediately following the service at 12 PM.
Hal was born on April 16, 1932 in Decatur, GA to the late Charles Henry and Sarah Robison Sanders. He attended Oakhurst Elementary School, and then Decatur Boy’s High School, where he played on the varsity baseball team.
Hal earned his degree in electrical engineering (BEE) from the Georgia Institute of Technology and an ROTC commission in June 1952. He served as Executive Officer of the 21st Chemical Company in Korea until the close of the conflict in 1954. He was a life-long Georgia Tech fan, and was pleased that his younger brothers, daughter, and many other relatives also chose to earn degrees from this institution.
Hal returned to civilian life beginning with a position at RCA in Camden, NJ in 1954. In January 1956, he joined Factory Mutual (FM) in Charlotte, NC as a Field Engineer, then was promoted to the position of Staff Engineer in 1960.
Hal married Martha Lee Brannock in 1960, and they had two children, Sheryl (b 1960), and Charles (b 1963) who died at the age of 5 years. Hal enjoyed traveling with the family and encouraged Sheryl’s interest in horses. Family travels often took them to Tennessee.
Hal was transferred to Atlanta with FM in the position of Standards Engineer in 1964. In 1968, he joined General Adjustment Bureau (GAB) in Atlanta, investigating property losses for insurance companies to determine the cause and extent of damage. During this time, he became passionate about life safety, and began to look for ways to protect human life.
In 1971, Hal founded Hal R. Sanders and Associates, a consulting engineering company which offered loss analysis investigative work as well as fire protection system design. Soon afterward, he created HRS Systems in order to begin working on the development of sprinkler system hydraulic analysis software (HASS) and CO2 fire protection software (COOSA). He relocated his businesses to Petersburg, TN in 1991.
Hal always loved Middle Tennessee. His grandfather had been born in Petersburg, and many relatives continue to live in this area today. He raised cattle and Tennessee Walking Horses on Petersburg farms. He shared a wonderful 30-year romance with Ann Whittemore of Fayetteville, TN until she passed away in 2017. Hal loved the people and community and wanted to contribute to the revitalization of the community there.
In February, 2019, Hal met and fell in love with Norma Jean Beck. The two married June 13, 2019 and enjoyed four joyous months together, traveling and enjoying family and friends.
Hal was a member of SFPE, ACEC, American Legion, VFW, Civitan, Lions, Rotary and West End Baptist Church. Previously he had been a member of First United Methodist Church of Fayetteville.
Hal Sanders passed away on October 15, 2019 at St. Thomas Hospital West.
Survivors include his daughter, Sheryl (Matthew) Prucka of Park City, UT; wife, Norma Jean Brown Beck Sanders; grandchildren, Elizabeth Marie Prucka and Alexander Wesley Prucka; step-daughters, Karen Denise (Steve) Corder of Fayetteville, TN and and Anna Maria (Terry) Gray of Bardstown, KY; step-grandchildren, Ben Corder, Leah Corder, David (Heather) Corder, Brittany Lynn (Justin) Bogard; step-great-grandchildren, Amelia Bogard and Zachary Tyler (Brittany) Gray; step-great-grandchildren, Tyler Gray and Gibson Miracle; step-granddaughter, Candice Nicole (Kevin) Taylor; step-great-grandchildren, Ryder Shake, Levin Taylor, and Beck Taylor; brother, Hugh Alexander (Joanna) Sanders of Atlanta, GA; nephews, Mark Sanders and Daniel(Phaleiny) Sanders; great-niece, Isabella; great-nephews, Elijah and Peter; nephew, Timothy(Stephanie) Sanders; great-nephew, Isaac; great-niece, Kendall; sister-in-law, Jane Sanders of North Palm Beach, FL; nephew, Wayne (Kim) Sanders; great-nephews, Colin Holt Sanders and Chase Jeffrey Sanders; great-niece, Ashley Kristen Sanders; nephew, Stanley (Anna) Sanders; niece, Suzanne Sanders (William) Inman; great-niece, Sara Jane Sanders; great-nephew, William Wylie Sanders.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Charles Brannock Sanders, and brother, Wylie Holt Sanders.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to West End Baptist Church, 200 Morgan Ave N, Fayetteville, TN 37334.
Higgins Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Mr. Hal Robison Sanders.
What a wonderful human being! Cousin Hal was such a joy to my family. He was such a huge part of the Petersburg community. Rest In Peace Mr. Hal.
Mr. Hal was such a kind and nice gentleman. He was a great friend to my father, Doug Rodes, at Bailey Manor. As a fellow engineer, they had a great deal in common. He did so much to bring new life to Petersburg. Hal will be missed by his many friends from Bailey and from Petersburg.
To my friend Hal,
You will truly be missed. I loved our conversations at lunch and the great fellowship.
Godspeed my friend.
Mr. Hal will truly be missed . Was so sorry to hear of his passing . He was a wonderful caring gentleman who loved Petersburg. I known him over 55 years. I always welcomed his big ole hug and he always had a big smile on his face. Prayers for all the family .
So sorry to hear of his passing. Mr. Hal was a great customer for several years. He will be missed by many.
Mike and Jeanie Hyde, Lenace Vaughn , and all employees of Gardeners Choice
John and I are so saddened by Hal Sander’s passing! Hal was so sweet and kind to John, me and my Mom! He was the perfect Southern gentleman, and we loved him very much! Heaven has gained a wonderful man!
John and I are so saddened by Hal Sander’s passing! Hal was so sweet and kind to John, me and my Mom! He was the perfect Southern gentleman, and we loved him very much! Heaven has gained a wonderful man!
Mr. Hal was a Gentleman and a brother of post 155 Petersburg American Legion.. Mr. Hal contributed to all functions for the Veterans of all services as well as sponsorships for the boy’s and girl’s state.. Petersburg Members of American Legion are going to miss Mr. Hal dearly..
Mr. Hal was a Southern Christian gentleman. He was a man I admired and respected. I will miss him.
Hal was a great man and friend to me and my family. There aren’t words to describe how much Hal meant to us. He allowed us to make many great memories on his farm. I also was privileged to have many great conversations with him that I will always cherish. I am so thankful to have known such a great man, and will deeply miss my friend. My thoughts and prayers are with all of us who loved and will miss Hal.
Mr Hal will be missed by Tom & Sue Lyles We have know him for the pass 20 year have worked with him the years he was redoing his house and many more thing He always had A smile &hugs he was good to ever one prays for his family
Mr. Hal will surely be missed. He was such a wonderful person and friend. Petersburg has lost a citizen who truly loved his town and it’s people. A more giving person I’ve not met. Prayers for the family.
What a shock to hear this! Mr. Sanders was the sweetest, kindest man you could ever hope to meet. His little community will miss him terribly. Deepest consoles to his family.
Mr Hal–one of the kindest, most gentle souls I have ever known. He touched and my family through dark times and always remained a true gentleman, even if he did try to often sway me to become a Democrat. How saddened I am to hear the news of his passing. Sending my prayers and love to his family.
Rest in peace, you sweet man; may your sleep be forever sweet.
Mr. Hal will certainly be missed by a lot of people, especially his friends and acquaintances in the Petersburg community. He was such a good and caring person and a fine, southern gentleman. I will never forget his kindness to me and my daughter , Carla. He could brighten up your heart with his smile and laughter. We will truly miss him. Our deepest sympathy goes out to his family.
Hal was a great engineer, friend, mentor, and business associate for over forty years. I cherish the memories of all the wonderful trips my family enjoyed with him and the endless encouragement he provided through the years.