Stephen R. Saunders, age 68, of Murfreesboro, TN, passed away Wednesday, August 2, 2017, after a brief illness. Stephen was born in Columbus, OH on December 15, 1948.

Stephen received his Master's Degree in Political Science from The Ohio State University. He then worked as a editor for the Japanese/American Magazine Zasshi in New York City and in Tokyo. Stephen moved to Murfreesboro in 1996, where he became a dedicated educator at Middle Tennessee State University. He served as the Assistant Cooridnator until 2012 of the McNair Scholars Program, for first-generation college students seeking to enter doctoral studies. Stephen also taught courses within the Political Science Department.

Stephen is survived by his wife, Anna Raivich-Saunders of Murfreesboro; daughter, Samantha Saunders of Philadelphia, PA;  mother, Joyce Saunders of Fountain Hills, AZ;  sister, Karen Connick of Fountain Hills, AZ; along with much loving extended family and many friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Paul E. Saunders.

An informal memorial will be held Saturday, August 5th, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Woodfin Memorial Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Steve Saunders Memorial Fund, through the MTSU Foundation at P.O. Box 125, Murfreesboro, TN 37132.