Robert Lacy Sanger

Robert Lacy Sanger, 93, of Oak Hill, passed away on Monday, September 29, 2025, at his residence with his loving wife and two of his six caregivers at his side.

Robert was born on December 28, 1931, to Lacy Morris Sanger and Murl Daily at Oak Hill Hospital.

He attended Oak Hill Elementary and High Schools graduating in 1950. This was the last graduating class from this building the building is now on the National Register of Historic Places and is being converted for use by the community.

After graduating from high school where he was Vice President of his Senior class he was recruited by John Donochy as a printing apprentice. Bob completed his apprenticeship and worked at Royal Oak Press until Uncle Sam called, and he went into the Army.

He completed basic training in Virginia and after six weeks he was transferred to Fort Sam Houston in Texas where he was to work in the Dental Clinic.

At the Dental Clinic he was assigned to work with Col. John Phillips. Col. Phillips quickly became Bob’s Mentor. Because of his background in High School of office skills and the experiences at the Royal Oak Press Bob was able to perform his duties to the satisfaction of his mentor.

The Col. Continued to suggest to Bob that he continue his education and become a dentist. At the end of his two years at Fort Sam Houston he elected to return to West Virginia and enroll in the printing department at West Virginia.

Bob told me “He was very uncomfortable during his first year at Tech because he was older than the majority of the 18 year old students. However, he did meet another Army Veteran, and they became room mates in the second year.”

The remaining years at Tech went well and he graduated in May, 1957, with the Degree of Bachelors of Science (Cum Laude) A note from the President of the college went as follows “You have been given a bag of tools, a formless rock and a Book of Rules; and each must make, ere life has flown. A stumbling block or a steppingstone.” Congratulations, W.B. Aixtell, President West Virginia Institute of Technology.

College behind him and armed with a number of interviews, he chose to accept the job offer with IBM in Maryland. He worked a year at IBM but was not happy with being a printer running a press day in and day out. He saw no future for advancement as promised by the recruiter, who interviewed him. He discussed these feelings with his supervisor and despite his encouragement to give thought to staying with IBM. Bob declined the offering, thanked him for his advice but felt his future was not with IBM. His supervisor arranged an interview with Darby Printing and Bob took a job with them. He kept this job for a short period of time.

He came home on a holiday at Thanksgiving and went to Tech to visit the Printing Department personnel. While there, and telling them of his experiences, they asked Bob if he would consider a one year appointment as a professor. One of the Professors was quitting, and they needed to replace him. Bob decided he would accept this position and returned home to West Virginia!

Bob and I met in February of 1975, when one of my friends introduced me to him. My friends were great but they were constantly making dates for me-and introducing me to men-all short-uninteresting- and as a result I experienced an unpleasant evening. On February 12, however they informed me, a young man named Bob Sanger would be calling on me. They pointed out all his good qualities, namely: tall, 6 ft 2 inches; a college professor, and someone they knew would be a perfect date. I ignored their please-he was on his way to Beckley-and pressured me to, at least look and see they were not exaggerating-he was tall-blonde-a college professor-and someone they knew would be a perfect date. I ignored their pleas and continued to read my book. Finally they consumed me, to look, while the friend, who talked to Bob in the lower lobby. I laid down on the floor-peered down and noted, they did not exaggerate, he was tall, blonde, well dressed, and nice looking, I just might enjoy an evening with him. We talked with my friend Marge and he asked “If I would like to go to a movie with him.” We went to the movie, had a coke and hot dog at the King Tut Drive In at 9:30 PM. I told him “We had to be in before 10:00 PM or we were deported and had to answer to Dr. Tieche. He understood and took me back to nurse’s home. He walked me to the door, I opened the door with my key, shook his hand, told him I had a nice time” and walked in.

We dated and spent many memorable evenings and days from February to December, 1975. On one of our evenings out in December, he asked me-“Nancy, will you marry me?” I was caught off guard, not really thinking of getting married. I thought for a few minutes and finally said, “maybe,” that I would give it some consideration and tell him later-“yes or no.” At 26, I had not thought of getting married. I had a good job, good friends, and was happy. My friends were elated I did say, “yes” and we proceeded to make arrangements for our wedding. Bob understood that I wanted to be married in my church-St. Frances De Sales Catholic Church and in effort for this to happen, we had to undergo a 6 month period of instruction and if, at the end of these sessions, if he was still serious that we could manage a Catholic-Methodist Church marriage then we would carry through with our plans. The road to 64 years of marriage has not been easy but we managed to cram in the following:

1. In life, “it’s not where you go-it’s who you travel with.” Charles Schulz and Snoopy.
2. “We have managed to have a marriage that was filled with happiness, laughter, and love.”
3. We but especially Bob, spent a couple of years until he earned a degree in Business Administration while I was employed at West Virginia University Hospital as a Medical Record Administrator.
4. We returned home to Oak Hill. Bob went back to Tech as a Professor in the Business Department. His mentor Dr. Jack Robertson took him and molded him to eventually taking more classes and start work for his Doctorate in Business.
5. I went back to my job t Beckley Hospital and continued working so Bob could realize his dream of getting an advance degree. Dr. Robertson finally arranged another Sabbatical for Bob and he entered into the Business College at the University of Kentucky.
6. We rented a furnished apartment within walking distance of the college of business at the University of Kentucky. Bob spent 2 years at UK -coming home on weekends and holidays. Sanger’s miss Pepper the first, and I drove to Lexington to spend weekends when we could.
7. In December when he came home for Christmas break, after being home for a day or so, he developed severe abdominal pain. I called our friend Dr. Meredith Rohani (Who incidentally married the friend (Maragret Grigas) the X-ray Tech who introduced me to Bob.
8. I drove a very sick Bob to Beckley Hospital where Dr. Rohani was waiting for us. After all the testing was done, and pre-op preps accomplished, Dr. Rohani removed disease appendix. The rest of his vacation was spent in our making arrangements for Miss P and I to go to Lexington while Bob started the January semester. When Bob finished the second semester he decided to come back to Tech and start working on his PHD as he could in summer sessions. He completed the necessary hours for this.
9. Dr. Robertson developed medical problems and retired to seek help for his condition. He and Connie, his wife, moved to be near where their daughter Jane and her husband lived.
10. Bob continued to be Dean of the College of Administration until he retired from Tech after 36 years of employment.
11. During our marriage we had 5 Schnauzers. Each left a broken place in our hearts when they passed but they left us many precious memories.
12. Clubs and Community activities Bob was very active in the Lions Club for many years. After the Lions Club another club called the Plateau Club was born. A group of men met at Three Gables and later at the Holiday Inn on Thursday night for many years devoting time to the elderly who needed assistance, they mowed lawns, took individuals who needed ides to their Doctor, and many other chores they may need to do. All of this was done without charge. They sold Christmas trees and had other fund raises to fiancé their activities. Covid when it arrived curtailed their activities, as did death to many of their members.13
13. In 2023, Bob started having medical issues and underwent an unbelievable amount of time, requiring, testing, and etc. to determine what was causing his problems. We were treated 2 years at the Greenbrier Clinic where we had yearly comprehensive checkups from a number of excellent physicians. I, too, had several excellent Doctors and as a result, we had very good health until 2025. Testing increased, specialists were consulted and still no diagnosis was ever made. 
14. Bob died at home and in his bed at 3:30 AM on September 29, 2025.15
15. I was in his chair asleep, when Abbie awoke me to tell me he had quiet breathing. I got up immediately and went in the Master bedroom. Bob looked as though he had gone to sleep, was warm to touch but no response all I could do was touch him and pray. Jenne came; called Hospice nurses and they later called the funeral director at approximately 5:00 AM. His race was over!

Funeral service will be 12:00 Noon on Friday, October 3, 2025 at Tyree Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Delmas Wolfe officiating. Entombment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park in Beckley.

Visitation for friends will be one hour prior to service at the funeral home in Oak Hill on Friday, October 3, 2025.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.tyreefuneralhome.com

The family of Robert Sanger is being cared for by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.