Hy Saunders, known for 40 years in the Snyderville Basin as the founder and operator of the Summit Water Company has died. He was 79.
Saunders' obituary, published this past weekend, noted he was a life-long Utah resident. He attended East High, was a champion tennis player at the University of Utah, and earned business degrees from the U and NYU.
Saunders set up the Saunders Land Investment Corporation. According to his obituary, Summit Water, founded four decades ago, now serves 6,000 residental and business customers "without using a penny of taxpayer money."
The obit also took notice of Summit Water's sometimes controverial legal battles. It said Saunders fought for his company, and he went to the Utah Supreme Court five times, "where he won unanimously every time."
Saunders was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2014. He is survived by his wife Debra, sons Mike, Harper, and Brody, and two grandchildren. Family and close friends are planning a private celebration of life.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to one of his favorite charities, including Alzheimer's Research, Special Olympics, The Wounded Warrior Project and the Buffalo Bill Historical Center.