Robert Buell Sanders, 83, passed away on October 3, 2026. Celebration of Life Memorial Services have been scheduled for 2:30 PM Saturday October 10, 2026 in the Ron Smiley Memorial Chapel of the funeral home with inurnment following in the Friona Cemetery entrusted to HANSARD FAMILY FUNERAL Home of Friona. 

He was born on December 25, 1942, in Friona, Texas, to Buell E. and Marie Sanders. He grew up in Friona, graduated from Friona High School, and then attended West Texas State University, where he earned a B.S. in Speech/Radio-TV in 1965 and an M.A. in Speech and Theater/Radio-TV in 1967. He later earned his Ph.D. in Communication from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1976. Robert served his country in the United States Army, including a tour of duty in Vietnam.

At West Texas State, Robert met Kathryn "Kay" Lee Pilcher, his future wife and lifelong partner. He was her teaching assistant and, after a pop quiz, noticed Kay and a friend had identical wrong answers. He soon realized they had cheated. The story became a lasting joke and an unlikely start to their decades-long marriage. They married July 8, 1967, in Canyon, Texas.

In 1974, Robert and Kay moved to Commerce, Texas, where they built careers, raised a family, and became longtime community members. Robert taught and mentored generations at East Texas State University, now East Texas A&M University. Beloved by students, he was affectionately known as "Doc." He also hosted Talk of the Town, a student-produced weekly local cable program.

Outside the classroom, Robert was active in the Commerce Lions Club, First United Methodist Church, and the Masonic Lodge. His lifelong love of animals led him to become something of a master builder of custom doghouses for the many furry companions he loved over the years. After many years in Commerce, Robert and Kay moved to Merritt Island, Florida, in 2014 to enjoy retirement and be closer to family.

Robert and Kay had two children, Michelle Terrell (husband Kenny) of Merritt Island, Florida, and Darin Sanders of Dallas, Texas. He was the loving grandfather of three: Jessica Sullivan (husband Hunter), Ashley Dalton (husband Tyler) of Atlanta, Georgia, and Jacob Terrell of Merritt Island, Florida; and the proud great-grandfather of Teagan and Alida. Robert was preceded in death by his parents and his three brothers, Charles "Chilly" Sanders, Billy Sanders, and Sheldon Sanders.

For the generations of students who knew him as "Doc," the colleagues and friends who shared his life in Commerce, and especially the family who knew him as a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Robert leaves behind a legacy of education, service, family, and a life generously shared with others.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to a local ASPCA chapter or animal rescue organization of the donor's choice, or to St. Francis Hospice of Florida (https://reflectionslsc.org).

You may send blessings to the family and sign the online guest book exclusively at: hansardfamily.com