Edwin A Sanborn

Edwin Alden Sanborn died peacefully at home on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019, following a long illness. He was 81. Born in Madison on Sept. 3, 1937, he was the oldest child of Wilfred and Madeline (McCarville) Sanborn. He married Virginia Schlimgen on June 8, 1963, and is survived by his wife, their daughter, Amy Sanborn of Madison, and two grandsons, Elijah and Tucker. He is also survived by his brother, James of Madison; sister, Sue Bergmann of Doralville, Georgia; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends. Edwin grew up in Madison. He was an enthusiastic member of the Edgewood High School Class of 1955 and enjoyed his years participating in the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison for his freshman and sophomore years in college, where he earned a varsity letter as a member of the UW boxing team. He transferred to Iowa State University to study landscape architecture, graduating from that program in 1959. He was also a proud member of the Wisconsin National Guard. His lifelong interest in horses began in earnest at Earl Pottinger’s Bar M Ranch, then located adjacent to the Dane County Fairgrounds on Rimrock Road and the Beltline in Madison. It was at the Bar M where he met his future wife, Virginia Schlimgen, who boarded a horse there, and it was there they began planning a life together that included horses. In 1969 those ambitious early dreams were realized when they opened Thistle Downs Quarter Horses on their hilltop farm west of Verona. Edwin designed and supervised the building of a graceful, modernist-style horse barn and wooden fence paddocks with long views of Madison to the east. While Edwin focused on his career as a successful landscape architect and developing his business, Virginia ran the operation of the horse farm. Over the years Thistle Downs grew to include an extensive boarding business, a lesson program, breeding, raising and training Quarter Horses and, later, warmblood sport horses, Over four decades of practice, Edwin created designs for projects public and private, massive and intimate, working for clients from across the Upper Midwest. His work was notable for its innovation and imagination. After he retired, he worked on an extensive series of architectural and site drawings for his own pleasure that put to use his superb skills as a draftsman. They are not only beautifully rendered but in many cases reveal an almost otherworldly use of perspective that is haunting and highly creative. Edwin loved fishing on Madison lakes for bluegills, both summer and winter. He never lost his passion for trail riding, on his own farm, neighboring properties and on various trips across the American West. He continued riding into his 70s. He had a soft spot in his heart for all animals, but was particularly attached to an elegant, trusted trail horse named Christopher, and a tall, talkative tabby cat known as Razz Ma Tazz. His greatest pleasure and pride came from the accomplishments – academic, artistic, athletic and entrepreneurial – of his daughter and grandsons, and from the remarkable life he built in partnership with Virginia. A Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019, at ST. MARIA GORETTI CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5313 Flad Ave., Madison, from 10 a.m. until the time of the Memorial Mass at 11 a.m., with a luncheon to follow. The family wishes to thank SSM Health Home Hospice for their extraordinary care. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson Fitchburg Funeral & Cremation Care 2950 Chapel Valley Rd (608) 442-5002