Arthur "Art" Edmund Sanderson, age 69, passed peacefully on February 14th, 2024, surrounded by his family at their home in Leesburg, VA after a four-month battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Art was born May 20, 1954 in Toledo, Ohio to Chrystal (Martin) and Harold Sanderson. He was the older brother of Sylvia Sutton.

Art grew up in Hillsboro, VA where he attended Loudoun Valley High School. He studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Virginia, where he also earned his Master's degree. He was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity and a photographer for Corks and Curls. In 1983, he married his college sweetheart, Sandra Dragon. They were blessed with three children: Sarah, Samuel and Grace.

Art spent many family vacations at the Outer Banks. He was an avid Boy Scout leader, enjoying many outdoor activities: hiking, camping, sailing, bicycling, skiing and much more. Art traveled the world throughout his life and always loved visiting other countries and cultures.

Art's career started with Caltex, living and working in Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Tanzania, and Malaysia. Upon his return to the United States, Art assumed a primary role in the family business, an Apple computer franchise in Leesburg. In 1993 Art joined the America Online juggernaut. Art held various pivotal roles at AOL from 1993 to 2003, including Senior Director of Global Access Engineering, Director of Access Engineering, and International Operations Analyst. He played a crucial role in pioneering the internet, overseeing the design, build, implementation, testing, and network operations management of AOL's Dial-Up global network, which laid the foundation for the internet as we know it today.

Over his 12 years at Lumen, Art utilized his extensive experience to design and implement commercial networks supporting the Department of Defense. Renowned as an expert in global network connectivity, he earned the nickname "the encyclopedia" and was admired for his willingness to assist colleagues. Affectionately called "Art 'Snacks' Sanderson" for his healthy snacking habits, Art's career exemplifies excellence and innovation in the industry.

Art commanded immense respect across the telecommunications industry due to his exemplary expertise, outstanding leadership qualities, exceptional mentorship, and creative problem-solving. Colleagues fondly recall attending conferences with Art. They found it impossible to take more than a few steps without someone stopping them to chat with Art and express admiration for his work. He truly stood out in the industry, with more people seeking him out at such events than anyone else.

Art's colleagues often teased him with the quip, "While Al Gore may have 'invented the internet,' Art Sanderson built it."

Art is survived by his wife, Sandra, their children: Sarah Gates (Stephen), Samuel Sanderson (Kat), and Grace Messmer (Landon); along with four grandchildren, his father, Harold, and his sister Sylvia (Chip). He is preceded in death by his mother, Chrystal E. Sanderson.

Family and friends may pay their respects with a visitation scheduled for Friday, March 1st from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Colonial Funeral Home of Leesburg.

Additionally, the family will host an informal celebration of Art's life on March 2nd from 12:00pm to 3:00pm at the Sanderson Family home.

Please consider making a donation in Art's memory to Team Gleason at https://teamgleason.org. This organization generously provided Art with mobility equipment during his illness.