Charles was born on June 2, 1925, in Sioux City, Iowa to Charles and Telin Sanborn. He moved to Seattle with his mom, dad and brother Bill and settled in Leschi growing up on the shores of Lake Washington where he lifeguarded at Madrona beach. He attended Franklin High School and later University of Washington where he played football and was a mighty proud member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. His father, Frank, was the engineer and project manager that built the Sigma Tau house where he would spend weekends as a young boy at the construction site. He continued this legacy later through active involvement in keeping up the house for future generations to enjoy.

He married Mary Cram in 1945 while serving in the US Army Air Forces during WWII where he trained on B-17s, but never saw overseas combat. After the war he graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Architecture and went on to work for Keiser Cement. He and Mary built a home on Mercer Island in 1951 where he was a lifelong resident of the Island until his passing.

Chuck or Sandy as he was known to friends was an avid sailor, sport fisherman and duck hunter. Chuck took part in sailboat racing in Puget Sound, becoming the Commodore of the Corinthian Yacht Club, where he was instrumental in organizing youth sailing programs, the Seattle Sailing Foundation and hosting the Star boat and Coronado 25 world championship regattas. He taught his grandkids to sail on his boat, the Scotch Mist, and spent summers navigating the waters of the Puget Sound and the San Juan islands.

He is survived by his son, Patrick, grandsons Reid (Amber) and Andy (Michelle), great grandchildren Ryder, Bayden and Parker. Charles was preceded in death by his wife Mary (2000), son William (2018) and granddaughter Madeline (2017).

Please consider donating to Seattle Children's hospital, the CYC Junior Sailing Program or Puget Sound Youth Sailing in honor of Charles.

Fair winds and following seas.