It is with great sadness that the GSD shares that our former colleague and good friend, Bill Saunders, passed away earlier this week. Bill worked with many of us over the course of his 29-year career here at the GSD, where he most recently served as the founding editor of the Harvard Design Magazine (2002 – 2011). Bill’s sense of curiosity and interest in design work resulted in the production of some truly valuable publication contributions. Those of you who knew him will surely remember him—and his love of music, friends, and family—fondly.

There will be a public memorial service on Saturday, September 22nd at 2:00pm at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Newton at 1326 Washington St, Newton, MA 02465. We will also be holding visiting hours on Friday evening, the 21st of September, from 4-8pm at the Burke and Blackington Funeral Home at 1479 Washington Street, West Newton, MA 02465.


If you would like to make a donation in memory of Bill:

Donations can be made to the “Communities United Creative Start” Program in Waltham (formerly Head Start). Soon after he retired Bill became an enthusiastic board member there. He also volunteered in the three-year-old class where kids adored him and knew him as, “Mr. Bill.” Information about making a donation is in the comments.

You can donate to the Communities United Creative Start program online at www.communitiesunitedinc.org/donate. Under the donation amount, there is an option, “Write a note” where you can indicate that your donation is for the “Waltham Creative Start – Bill Saunders Memorial fund.”

Checks can be made out to “Communities United Inc.” and sent to 108 Water Street, Unit 2D, Watertown MA, 02472. Please indicate on the check: “Waltham Creative Start – Bill Saunders Memorial.”