Charles Steadman Sanford, Jr. Obituary (2018)

Charles Steadman Sanford, Jr. died September 4, 2018 at Oak Hammock at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. He was the son of Charles and Ann Lawrence Sanford, and grew up in Savannah, Georgia. He graduated from the University of Georgia and the Warton School of Business. After receiving a MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvannia, Mr. Sanford joined Bankers Trust as a lending officer in 1961, was promoted to president in 1983 and was promoted to chaiman and CEO in 1987, posisitinos he held until he retired in 1997. Mr. Sanford was widely regarded as one of the most influential bankers of his time. During his career, he engineered the transformation of Bankers Trust from a struggling, full-service bank into a tightly-focused, high innovated bank that achieved higher returns for its shareholders than any of its commercial banking peers. During his career and continuing into his retirement, Mr. Sanford served as a director on several large corporations, including Mobil Corporation, Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, Constellation Energy Group, J.C. Penny Company, and General Re-Corporation. He is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Mary McRitchie Sanford, two children, Ann Whitney Sanford (Kevin Veach) of Gainesville, FL and Charles S. Sanford, III (Sarah Lang Sanford) of Amherst, MA and four grandchildren: Henry Lang Sanford, William Stark Sanford, Peter Erickson Sandford and Yushi Helen Sanford all of Amherst, Mass and his brother, Shelton Palmer Sanford (Marney) and niece Catherine Grant (Scott) of Savannah, GA. Charlie enjoyed playing handball, tennis, and squash, and going to and listening to opera. Most of all he loved and valued his family. The family would like to express their gratitude for the wonderful care Charlie received while in Ashton Place and Skilled Nursing at Oak Hammock. The dedicated care he received was wonderful. A family service will be held at a later date. Charlie will be buried at Bonadventure Cemetery in Savannah, Ga.