Maynard Campbell Sandford, 88, passed away on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. He was born on June 9, 1936, in Hopewell, Virginia. He spent most of his early years in the Virginia Baptist Children's Home in Salem, Virginia where he enjoyed many years working on the farm and playing sports with the other children. He returned home to Petersburg, Virginia at age 15 where he met Nancy Wright Parker and played football at Petersburg High School graduating in 1954. Maynard went on to earn his Bachelor of Science in Physics from Randolph-Macon College in 1959. Shortly before graduating, he married Nancy on May 23, 1959, and they went on to share nearly 66 years together.

In addition to being a faithful husband to his wife, Nancy, he was a loving father to three sons, Stephen (Amy), David (Dana), and Ben (Lindsey); and a proud Papa to six grandchildren, Corin (Lily), Parker (Brittany), Macey, Micah (Katie), Drew, and Siri; and two great-grandchildren, Camilla and Ezra; and brother to Phylise.   He was preceded in death by his mother Mary Evelyn Smith, brother Billy, and sister Joyce-Anne.

His many accomplishments include 35 years as a NASA Aeronautical Engineer from 1959 to 1994. During his time with NASA, he became an international expert on aeroelastic flutter testing various military and civilian aircraft including the C-5, F-111, A-6, and F-22. Throughout his adult life, he was an exceptional athlete playing fast-pitch softball, basketball, and tennis. He played in the Virginia Senior Olympics winning multiple Singles and Doubles Tennis Championships, which allowed him to compete in the U.S. Senior Olympic Games in Arizona, Florida, Kentucky, and Louisianna. In addition to sports, he loved to hike the Appalachian Trial and take walks in the Great Dismal Swamp and the Back Bay Wildlife Refuge. However, his favorite activity later in life was taking his grandchildren to a park, a playground, or on a walk with him.

A Remembrance Service will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at Hampton Baptist Church, 40 Kings Way, Hampton, VA with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations in Maynard's name be made to the Hampton Baptist Church Endowment Fund; the Hampton Baptist Church Music Endowment Fund; or So All May Eat (SAME) at Hampton Baptist Church. Click here to donate to Hampton Baptist Church or the Tidewater Appalachian Trail Club Click here to donate to the TATC all of which were near to Maynard's heart.