June 4, 2023.
Sander was born in Ithaca, New York, on October 22, 1952, and grew up in southern Florida. He
graduated from Stranahan High School in Fort Lauderdale in 1970. He continued his education
at Florida State University, where he graduated in 1974 with a degree in Theatre, minoring in
Mathematics.
A self-taught computer programmer, Sander held several positions involving program coding
and database management in both the public and private sectors, finishing his career with the
Florida Department of Law Enforcement in 2013.
A man of great intellectual curiosity, Sander was a writer, musician, actor, and director. After
acquiring a piano in high school, he taught himself to read and play music and became
proficient playing classical guitar, as well as rock, folk, Americana, and other musical genres.
While a student at FSU, Sander served as an accompanist for the university’s Department of
Dance. His musical skills and improvisational talents allowed him to play music with about any
other musician upon first meeting (and without written music). Later in life, he developed an
interest in electronic music and collected various (now vintage) synthesizers, sequencers,
samplers, and keyboards.
All four of Sander’s grandparents were immigrants from Finland and he always took pride in his
Finnish heritage. In all that he did, he strove to exemplify the Finnish virtue of sisu (unwavering
tenacity).
Sander was predeceased by his parents, George A. Luoma and Audrey W. Winstead, and his
sister, Kathryn A. Luoma. He is survived by his brother, Robert Luoma of Washington, D.C. and
many friends in Tallahassee and elsewhere.
A memorial gathering is pending. Sander lived for many years near Tallahassee's Lake Ella and
found walking around the park a peaceful and rejuvenating pastime. Commemorative donations
in Sander’s name may be made to the Tallahassee Friends of Our Parks Foundation, Memorial
Commemorative Tree Program, 1201 Myers Park Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32301.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neptunesociety.com/location/tallahassee-cremation for the Luoma family.
DONATIONS
Friends of our Parks Foundation, Memorial Commemorative Tree Program1201 Myers Park Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32301
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.9.5