SPRING 2013
Gene Festa
(retired faculty member) Charlie was many things for me, but most of all my good friend. When I returned to Kinkaid to teach after being away a few years, he saw me, gave me a big bear hug and told me, “Welcome home.” Nothing could have been more true for me. I always enjoyed going to talk to him, and look at what was new in his “museum.” But most of all, I liked taking my students to see him to learn about the wonderful Kinkaid traditions, including the historical marker he helped to acquire. They truly learned a lot about their school and always enjoyed writing thank-you letters to “Coach Charlie”… I admired and loved Charlie for many things, but most of all for his friendship and devotion to all that is Kinkaid: kids, teachers, families, memories, traditions, all of which he so gladly shared with everyone.
Gary Klingman
(former faculty member) I was truly saddened to hear of the passing of Charlie. He was the most welcoming person to new faculty and a friend to all who knew him. My fondest memory, and one of the funniest, was at the passing of Kitty Dammit, the longtime pet of art teacher Pat Foley. Sure it was a cat, but Charlie helped to organize a memorial and burial service just outside his office. The service was well attended by students and faculty, and Charlie capped it off by placing a marker (big rock) to mark the spot. For years, he helped me lead 6th graders on a tour of the memorial site. After all, it is part of the history of Kinkaid that Charlie loved to talk about with all of us.
Annie Roff ’13 As a lower school student, I always considered Mr. Sanders the “original” Kinkaidian. He was the man “who had a museum in his room,” and always began our Field Day celebrations… I admire Mr. Sanders for what he’s done and what he represents. I would see him walking through the hallways and he reminded me of the light at the end of the tunnel. Although Kinkaid may seem like everything today, there is so much more to it than a vocabulary quiz
and a history test. Kinkaid sparked a passion in Mr. Sanders, a passion I only dream of finding in my own life. He reminds me to stay afloat, to think beyond my next class period or school year and into the future. Mr. Sanders found his home at Kinkaid, and continues to teach us of the sheer dedication only true ardor can yield.
David Goddard,
son of former Middle School Principal Arthur Goddard He was Kinkaid and always will be Kinkaid. A true legacy he has left that I doubt anyone could ever fill, ever. Generations need to always know who Charlie was. Memories need to be left for all generations to read about this wonderful, kindhearted man. He had many a Thanksgiving with us in the country, fitting in and adding to our family get-togethers. My dad, Art Goddard, said Charlie was first a student, then became a colleague and a very close friend. He was an ex-
tended part of our family. I am sure thousands will say the same. I am sure there are volumes of stories on how Charlie touched all our lives. Those stories need to be passed down to generations. He always said the kid in him never grew up. Thankfully it never did. I think Charlie just loved life to the fullest. Let us all help to keep the history and stories of Charlie alive.
Contributions in Charlie’s memory may be directed to The Kinkaid School c/o The Charles B. Sanders Jr. Scholarship, Advancement Office, 201 Kinkaid School Dr., Houston, TX, 77024. A list of donors to this scholarship will be published in the summer magazine. Charlie’s obituary is found on page 55.
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