Salvador E. Sanders

August 25, 1934 – July 19, 2026

Remembering a Founding
Member of SFA Chapter 78

By Debra Holm

Salvador “Sal” Sanders, one of the few remaining original members of SFA Chapter 78, passed away on July 19, 2026.

Sal was born in Canon City, Colorado. Although he lived in Southern California for many years, his heart remained in the Colorado Rockies, as well as the Catalina Mountains and Sonoran Desert of Arizona, where he attended the University of Arizona.

He enlisted in the Army in 1951 and completed Special Forces training. After leaving active duty in 1961, he continued his military service as a Special Forces reservist before joining the Arizona National Guard’s 158th Infantry Regiment (Bushmasters).

While working full time, Sal earned a BA from California State University, Long Beach, in 1970 and a JD from Pepperdine University School of Law in 1973. He passed the California Bar in 1974 and began a legal career specializing in mediation.

Chapter 78 2011 Christmas Dinner: left to right, Sal Sanders, Tom Redfern, Terry Cagnolatti, Brad Welker, and Mark Miller

Bruce Long, Sal Sanders, John Joyce, and Chris Martin at a February 2015 luncheon celebrating the Marines who fought at Iwo Jima in WWII.

Richard Simonian and Sal Sanders at the March 2015 chapter meeting.

Chapter 78 Chapter Meeting & Company A, 19th October 17, 2015, SFG(A) Dinner: CWO (Ret.) Sal Sanders and MSG (Ret.) Art Dolick, both longtime SFA C-78 members and SF Soldiers.

Four original Chapter members attended the March 2017 Chapter meeting; left to right, Earnest Tchang, Sal Sanders, Art Dolick, and Ray Estrella.

Sal Sanders at the July 2023 Chapter meeting

Sal Sanders at the August 2023 chapter meeting.

Sal was an active Chapter 78 member for many years, volunteering at the Green Beret Shooters Cup and other chapter events. His presence at our meetings was always appreciated, and he will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his wife, Joan Skogsberg Sanders; daughters Linda Marie Armstrong, Theresa Ann Alvillar-Eulberg, and Cynthia Marie Beltz; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.