St Anne’s is the home of choice for the brightest and most ambitious students, including those from underrepresented groups.
St Anne’s is one of Oxford’s largest colleges, with over 800 students. Our Fellows’ world leading research ranges across the arts, humanities, social sciences, mathematics, and physical, life and medical sciences.
Our diverse, inclusive community extends around the globe through our alumnae, who build on their experiences here to change the world for the better.
Situated within 5 acres of tranquil leafy grounds, St Anne’s enjoys a unique atmosphere in which to hold any conference, dinner or special event.
We are deeply saddened to share news of the death of Robert Saunders.
Robert was Treasurer of St Anne’s College for twenty years, from 1980 until his retirement in 2000. During that time, he made a significant contribution to the College’s financial development and the realisation of important building projects.
One particularly enduring recognition of his work is Robert Saunders House, the student residence in Summertown completed in 1997. It was named in his honour, a rare distinction for a serving College Fellow, acknowledging the importance of his contribution in bringing the project to fruition. During his tenure, the College’s endowment almost doubled, reflecting the careful financial stewardship he provided.
Beyond his professional life, Robert had a remarkable range of interests. He helped establish cycle speedway teams and leagues across Middlesex, and founded both the Watford Classic Jazz Club and the Abingdon Riverside Table Tennis Club. He was also an inaugural member of the Japanese Garden Society, publishing a series of articles for their magazine, and was subsequently elected a life member.
Robert’s achievements are perhaps more remarkable when considered alongside the fact that he lived with Type 1 diabetes from the age of nine. Diagnosed in 1947, long before modern monitoring and treatment methods, he developed a meticulous and disciplined approach to managing the condition, which he maintained throughout his life. It was a challenge that he incorporated into his daily routine, refusing to allow it to define what he could achieve.
He is remembered with great affection as a man who packed an extraordinary amount into his life and who approached everything he undertook with commitment, energy and purpose.