Paul Sanderfer

Paul Otis Sanderfer, 81, passed away peacefully on Aug. 16, 2018, at Harbor Chase in Rock Hill, S.C., after a long illness. His memorial service will be held Saturday at Oakland Baptist Church.
Dr. Sanderfer was born on March 1, 1937, in Union City, to Otis and Iva (Springer) Sanderfer.
A graduate of Union City High School and Union University in Jackson, Paul received his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Florida and had a successful 37-year career as a professor at Winthrop College, where he taught organic chemistry and physical science methods for aspiring elementary teachers.
He married his eighth-grade sweetheart, Miriam Watt Sanderfer on July 19, 1959. They raised one son, Van, together. Dr. Sanderfer moved to Rock Hill in 1964, and was heavily involved with the Baptist Student Union of Winthrop College and taught the college Sunday school class for many years at Oakland Baptist Church, where he also served as a deacon.
In his spare time, he enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He loved to play golf, travel and meet with colleagues for “probability lab sessions,” which was his academic term for playing poker.
He particularly enjoyed traveling with Miriam to her beloved Gatlinburg and Williamsburg, Va., and visiting his favorite, the Alabama theater in Myrtle Beach, S.C., to enjoy the country music variety shows. His wife, Miriam, once wrote this tribute to him, “Paul is always happiest when he’s connected with his loved ones, in these moments he seems to be living a portrait of happiness and love. For years I’ve teased him about the halo and angel wings his mother knew he ‘wore,’ but after 68 years together, I have realized, to quote Bert in the movie, Mary Poppins, I really do consider him practically perfect in every way.’”
In fact, his grandchildren grew up calling him “Perfect” instead of Grandpa. He loved to teach and especially enjoyed word play and logic problems. Even in his last days he routinely challenged his hospice nurse with riddles and word games.
His former students include many current teachers, doctors, nurses, dentists and many other medical professionals around the country.
He had a rare wit and loved to banter with and playfully tease those he cared the most about. He had sly grin and you could always tell when he was kidding you by the delightful twinkle in his eye.
He is survived by his wife, Miriam; son, Van; daughter-in-law, Tammy; and grandchildren, Christian Sanderfer and Courtney Lien, all of whom currently reside in Nebraska.
Family, friends and others whose lives Paul touched are invited to celebrate together at Oakland Baptist Church Saturday at 11 a.m. to reminisce, grieve and support each other.
As Paul would say, “May your day be blessed with success and your tomorrows be even better.” While we all miss him terribly, we celebrate his transition into Heaven where his soul is free from the body, which had progressively failed him over the past few months.
In Heaven, he is reunited with his beloved parents, grandparents, sister and many others who proceeded him in death.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Providence Care Hospice, 1736 Old York Road, York, S.C. 29745.

Published 8.23.18