Biography
David Sander was a man who touched many people's lives. Once you've met David, you knew in your heart there was something very special about him. These quotes were all taken from a newspaper article about David, printed by the News-Dispatch in 1987. They are all from people whose lives were touched by David in some way.
David led quite an interesting life. The kind that is made into movies. Throughout his life, he held many jobs, traveled to many cities, and took part in many of the events that shape the world we live in today.
Born in Chicago, IL in 1923 to Jacob and Sara Sander, he was raised primarily in Hyde Park, Illinois. His father Jacob founded the Sander Wood Engraving Company in 1919, which was later passed down to David.
In 1941, David enlisted in the U.S. Navy to join the fight in World War Two. Attending Dartmouth College during his training, he attained the rank of Captain and was given command of his own ship. After serving several months as Captain of a tank launch, he expressed an interest in serving with a black crew.
At this time in the nation's history, there was only one ship in the Navy with a black crew; the U.S.S. Mason. David requested that he be transferred to the Mason, but was told that to transfer assigments, he would have to give up his rank of Captain. Agreeing to the terms, he was transferred the the Mason and given the rank of Morale officer. David served several years on the Mason, during which time he coordinated the ship band, handing out instruments and insisting that everyone learn how to play something new. He became good friends with many of the black crewman aboard, and was often witness to the horrible confrontations that would take place when the crew went to port in a white base.
After several incidents involving the Captain of the Mason, David learned that the Captain was not very well liked or respected by the black crewman he served with . They did not have faith in his ability to command the vessel, nor did they believe he had their best interests in mind. Well aware that the opinion of a few black enlisted men in the 1940's would not be heard as clearly as that of a white officer, they requested that David go to Washington and report that the Captain was unfit for duty. David agreed, and took leave to travel to Washington.
Upon his arrival, he discovered that the Captain had heard about the plans to file complaints against him, and raced to Washington before David could get there. When David appeared to explain his complaints, the Captain was there, and had told the judges to expect nothing but lies. Being outranked, and having no-one to back him up but a few black enlisted men, David was forced to resign his duty as Morale officer, and take an honorable discharge.
Returning to Chicago to see his parents, he found he had a yearning for the shores of Indiana, where he had spent a lot of his childhood. Shortly after his discharge, he moved to Indiana, where he purchased a farm and several acres of land. After a few years in Chesterton, Indiana he met his first wife, Betty. They lived on the farm quite happily and a small number of livestock including pigs, chickens, and horses. He and his wife eventually had three children, who were also raised on the farm.
Having a great love of art and music, David decided to open of a coffee-house, where people could come and relax after work, and maybe even do a little performing. In 1965 he was able to open it, and named it Saturday's Child, after the well known line in a nursery rhyme. (In the rhyme, Saturday's Child "works for a living"). It became immensely popular, and attracted people from all over Indiana, and even Chicago. He would often have open mic night, and was known for his sing alongs. A family run establishment, Saturdays Child was known for it's music, and it's friendship.
The community however, frowned upon David and the coffee house. In a time when the nation was very much divided, free speech and open minds were not always welcome. Many kids were forbidden to attend the coffee house, and David was even called a communist. But by the time the coffee house closed in 1975, the community had come to terms with it, and the customers had turned into respected members of society, instead of "wild kids".
By this time, David had been divorced from his wife, and turned the coffee house into the office of David Sander and Company; and the headquarters of Dunes Country Magazine, a publication detailing the beauty and hot spots of Northwest Indiana. He had since remarried, had a son, and divorced.
He was now known in the community as the areas biggest promoter, and protector. He moved from Chesterton, Indiana to the small town of Beverly Shores, just a few miles away. Here he continued to run both David Sander and Company and Dunes Country Magazine until the mid eighties, when the last edition of Dunes Country was published.
He now put all his energy into his company, which primarily sold graphics for use in advertising, and often produced the advertisements himself. David also became one of the last Wood Engraving supply seller's in America. He often gave classes on the art and it's technique, and was known to do lectures around the country on the subject. Having acquired several hundred blocks made by Thomas Bewick, the most well known engraver, David became known as an expert on the subject. After several years in Beverly Shores, David retired from the business, and moved back to Chesterton. In 1998 David moved to Portland, Oregon to live with his daughters. On August 21st, 1999, he passed away.
David left a big impression on everyone he met, and there are very few people in Northwest Indiana who do not know the name David Sander. He was responsible for so much in the community, including founding the Chesterton Art Fair, and saving much of the dunes area from Industrial pollution and expansion. During his life he created an expansive collection of paintings, most of which were landscapes of the Indiana Dunes. The landscapes he created became very well known as his work, and his popularity grew. David was also an avid photographer, and collected many pictures of the things he thought were noteworthy or beautiful. His paintings can be seen in the Paintings section of the the site, and his photographs can be seen in the Photographs section. If you are interested in owning a David Sander Landscape, please contact us for more information. If you are interested in reading the above mentioned article in it's entirety, please click the article button below.
During his life, David also wrote many humorous and inspiring songs about his experiences. He compiled a small collection of his works in a booklet entitled the Michigan City Blues. To view this book please click below.
Michigan City Blues (Song Book)