Dr. Lawrence T. Sanders MD., USAF Col. Ret.

Dr. Lawrence Thomas Sanders, Col. USAF, Retired, passed on to eternal life at age 85 at home in Dover, New Hampshire on Saturday, September 6, 2025. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Bonnie Roth Sanders; his daughters and their spouses, Sharon and Timothy Connors of Kennebunk, ME, Lara and Daniel Scammon of Dover NH; his son, David Sanders of Dover, NH; and his grandchildren, Heidi Scammon Carrier (Dylan), Jacob Connors (Amy), Holly Scammon, Ian Connors, Robert Scammon (Lexi), and Ryan Connors. He is also survived by his sister, Ann Wright of Dover, NH; brother-in-law and spouse, David and Nancy Roth of Loudon, TN; and his nephews and spouses, Chris and Katherine Roth and family of Centennial, CO, Jason and Heather Roth and family of Avon, IN, and Fred and Meg Roth of Longwood, FL; as well as many cousins. He is predeceased by his parents, Dr. Hallman and Dorothy (Erickson) Sanders of Hot Springs, Arkansas; his brother and spouse, Jay and Lynne Sanders; his sister and spouse, Sue and Harold Diot; his sister-in-law, Karla Roth; brother-in-law, Paul Wright; and nephews, Kevin Sanders and Keith Sanders.

Larry Sanders was born into a military family on November 30, 1939. His father, Dr. Hallman Sanders, had joined the Army shortly after completing his medical training. Larry’s mother, Dorothy, had gone to her mother-in-law’s home in Hot Springs, Arkansas and Larry made his entrance there while his dad was in training. When asked where he was from, Larry would always answer that he was a military brat and had lived in many different places. Indeed, the family moved from Arkansas to Champagne-Urbana, Illinois and then spent several years in Sioux City, Iowa. During the war years, while his dad was serving overseas in the Pacific Theater as Flight Surgeon to the Flying Tigers, Larry remembered helping his mom with his two younger siblings, brother Jay and sister Sue.

After the war ended, Larry’s mom and the children joined his dad in Japan, where they were given a house in Tokyo as quarters. Larry continued school in Tokyo but had lost so much time in the move by ship across the Pacific that he had to repeat first grade.

From Japan, the family relocated to Denver, Colorado where Larry’s dad was assigned as a physician to Fitzsimons Army Hospital, and where they welcomed his youngest sister, Ann, into the family. Larry finished elementary and junior high school in Denver and studied the trumpet with a friend of John Philip Sousa. When the Air Force came into being, Larry’s dad transitioned into this new branch of the military from the Army Air Corps. He was then assigned to Lowry Air Force Base, also in Denver.

Larry’s high school years were spent in Montgomery, Alabama. His dad was commander of the hospital at Gunter Air Force Base. Larry played football and excelled in his studies. His summer job was as a lifeguard, and he also managed the weekly cleaning of the Officers’ Club pool.

While growing up, Larry always remained close to his cousin, Jim Kays. Both of their dads were in the military, so they knew similar lives. Jimmy was always planning to apply to the United States Military Academy at West Point and convinced Larry to try for it also. The cousins were accepted by Presidential appointment and set off together for their joint adventure in the summer of 1958. They met up in New York City and then took the train to West Point with no parents to coddle them.

Larry’s years at West Point were spent playing 150lb (Sprint) football, throwing the javelin, teaching Sunday School at the Cadet Chapel, and keeping abreast of the rigorous academic demands as well as the physical fitness requirements. In his “Firstie” Year, he served as B-2 Company Commander, an earned position. He found satisfaction in taking seriously the values that West Point expects of cadets.

In February of 1962, Larry’s last year at West Point, he was invited to join a group of cadets who had signed up to attend a mixer at Vassar College on a snowy Sunday afternoon. This was a spur of the moment decision and completely uncharacteristic as he had a paper due. In the short duration of that “Tea Dance,” Larry met his future wife, Bonnie. They discovered they shared the same strong faith in God and love of family. They both played tennis, enjoyed adventure and travel, and sang songs from the 30’s and 40’s. By June week, they were making firm plans for their future together.

In the month before graduation, Larry was given an Air Force appointment and was granted a leave of absence to study medicine rather than to be required to report for regular duty. He applied to several medical schools at the 11th hour and was awarded the last opening at the University of Colorado Medical School in Denver. This was God at work as this had never been done before out of West Point. At today’s West Point, a premed course of study is offered after which cadets may advance directly to medical school upon graduation. Finishing 27th in his class, Larry had the privilege of shaking President Kennedy’s hand at graduation. Larry and Bonnie were married two years later at the West Point Cadet Chapel in June of 1964 after Bonnie graduated from Vassar.

Larry completed his medical studies in 1966, graduating third in his class of physicians. His first duty assignment was his Medical Internship and Residency at Lackland Air Force Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. During these four years, he was drawn to the field of Internal Medicine. He was chosen as one of the Chief Residents during his fourth year of training there.

Larry and Bonnie’s daughters were born at Lackland, Sharon in 1966 and Lara in 1969. Upon completion of his four years of medical training in his chosen field, Larry was told he was due for a hardship assignment in Vietnam. He was preparing to go when the Air Force said they needed an internist at the Air Force Hospital in Ankara, Turkey. This would be an accompanied tour of two years. Larry’s parents had been assigned to Ankara ten years before, so he knew it was a rich experience. Larry would be the only American internist serving the American community there, to include the embassy, USAID, as well as all the branches of the United States military assigned to TUSLOG. He also was available to care for the ambassadors and their families of other countries. While in Turkey, Larry and Bonnie visited the Holy Land and the seven churches of Asia Minor, Cappadocia and Galatia. They skied in Switzerland and camped with their children for six weeks across Europe after leaving Turkey on the way back to the States. He and Bonnie had left for Turkey with the two little girls, three years and ten months old, and came back after two years with the addition of their son, David. Turkey was a great place to discover archaeological ruins, and the experience provided so many windows into history. There was always something or somewhere to explore on the weekends.

Larry’s next duty assignment was at Malcolm Grow Hospital at Andrews Air Force Base. He served in the Internal Medicine Department where he enjoyed working closely with the rheumatologist. However, his growing family struggled financially in the DC area on a military salary. Larry began to explore civilian work possibilities and eventually made the difficult decision to leave the Air Force in late 1973.

For two years, Larry practiced internal medicine at the Burton Eisele Clinic in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It was exhausting, and the days were long and full of endless patients needing care. Finally, he made the decision to return to the Air Force where he remembered being able to spend quality time with patients. Larry also wanted to go back to being more present with his family as a good husband and father. By the grace of God, an assignment opened to fill an Internist position at the Air Force Hospital in Wiesbaden, Germany. Larry served three years and four months in Germany, and he and his family thoroughly enjoyed their immersion into the German culture. They went volksmarching, camping, sightseeing, and traveling to much of Europe when his work schedule allowed. Favorite family memories are the visits to Paris, and camping trips in Denmark and Norway, on the French Riviera, and in the Alps of France and Switzerland. There were also yearly ski trips to Austria. It was difficult to return to the States after this adventure but coming to New Hampshire had its own pleasant surprises: the Atlantic Ocean in one direction, and the White Mountains and natural lakes in the other.

Larry retired from the Air Force in 1984 after 22 years of active duty. He did not affiliate with a private practice but found many other opportunities to practice medicine in civilian life. These included managing the Emergency Room at Pease AFB until the base closed in early 1991. Then he became Medical Director at Seaborne Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Hospital in Dover until it closed. Next, he became one of the team of physicians at the University of New Hampshire Health Services; and simultaneously began a part-time position as a physician at the Riverside Rest Home of Strafford County, NH. He worked in some capacity at Riverside for 35 years and considered this as his workplace of longest standing. In fact, he just gave up taking night call two years ago. Larry would often say that the work he did at Riverside was his most satisfying, because the patients were so appreciative.

As a resident of New Hampshire for 46 years, Larry took advantage of the mountains, the opportunity for nearby skiing, the ocean, trips to Cape Cod, the natural beauty at every turn, and the excellent quality of life. Larry may have begun life as a southerner, but he quickly adapted to New England’s four distinct seasons. He played tennis and golf frequently, and in winter, he skied with the family in the White Mountains. Larry loved to plan travel. After Bonnie retired from teaching, they went on cruises to Alaska, the Baltic, the Panama Canal, New Zealand and Australia, and the Danube River Cruise. They made several trips back to Europe to visit friends and to explore some new destinations to include Italy, Croatia, France, Germany, Spain, and Ireland. They made two trips to Hawaii, and thanks to their timeshare, they spent many wonderful weeks in Mexico.

Larry was an active member of Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church. He continued teaching Sunday School as he had as a Cadet and, for a time, even taught the confirmation class as his knowledge of the Bible was extensive. In later years, Bonnie asked Larry to join her in the choir, as they both loved singing. About that time, his brother-in-law, Paul encouraged him to take up the trumpet again. Larry and Bonnie believed that retirement should include a service project. While still working, Bonnie had joined the church’s monthly team effort at the Dover Friendly Kitchen. When she retired from teaching, she became more active at the kitchen, and Larry joined her, becoming the beloved “drink man.” He made endless coffee, iced tea, and lemonade, and served until this past winter. He became the face of his church among the patrons, who loved his warm smile and sense of humor.

Larry was found to have prostate cancer in early 2019. With the usual treatment, he remained relatively healthy for five years, even throughout Covid. In the last two years, Larry still tended to the care of his pool and did work around the yard. Although weakened by cancer, he remained positive and even tempered. He was enjoying his six adult grandchildren and their spouses and fiancés and was proud of their accomplishments. Granddaughter, Heidi Carrier, is a graphic designer who recently became a country store manager. Granddaughter, Holly Scammon, an aeronautical engineer, is currently an assistant spa manager. Larry’s four grandsons earned engineering degrees and are serving in the military. He was delighted with their achievements and pleased with their choice of career. Captain Jacob Connors graduated from West Point in 2020 and is in Captain’s training. First Lieutenant Ian Connors is assigned to the Tenth Mountain Division at Fort Drum. Second Lieutenant Ryan Connors graduated from West Point in 2024 and is assigned as a Ranger to the Infantry at Fort Campbell. Second Lieutenant Robert Scammon is soon to begin pilot training in the Air Force. Larry attended three of their weddings in 2023 and was looking forward to the next two weddings in 2026. Family was such a source of joy to him.

Patients and colleagues have often recognized the hard work and dedication of Dr. Larry Sanders. He was known for excellent patient care and accurate diagnoses. He loved the practice of medicine and was perfectly suited to the lifework God gave him. Friends know that Larry was unwavering in his gentle nature, patient and nonjudgmental, and yet he maintained an ever-ready humorous take on life. He wasted no time being upset or angry, preferring to be a peacemaker and a comforter. It was his faith in the Lord that gave him a generous heart and an unconditional acceptance of others. His kind nature will be remembered by all those who knew him. In the words of a friend, “Larry was a truly good man.”

A celebration of life for Dr. Sanders will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 22 Fox Run Road, Newington, NH 03801. The Internment Ceremony will take place at the chapel of The New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery at 11:00 am, Monday, October 20, 2025, located at 110 Daniel Webster Highway, Boscawen, NH 03303. Donations can be made in his memory to charities he supported, including Tunnel to Towers Foundation, the Wounded Warrior Project, the National Association of Blind Veterans, and the Handicapped Veterans Association, or any US Veteran’s organization, or to children in need of medical care at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Shriner’s Hospital for Children, Smile Train, or Mercy Ships.

Assisting the family with arrangements is the Cremation Society of NH, Hampton. To view Larry's Online Tribute, send condolences to the family, or for more information, visit www.csnh.com.