Career
As mayor, he was nicknamed "Grassroots Bob," for his down-to-earth style. In 1946, Saunders was inspired by an elementary school traffic safety program in Detroit. Saunders worked to start a program in Toronto, and the result was the Elmer the Safety Elephant program
Saunders was elected alderman for Ward 4 in 1935 and again in 1936.
He was defeated in several attempts to be elected to the Toronto Board of Control before returning to city council as an alderman for Ward 4 in 1940. Saunders was elected to and served on the Board of Control from 1941 until 1944 before winning the January 1, 1945 mayoral election by defeating incumbent mayor Frederick J. Conboy.
Saunders was re-elected in 1946, 1947 and 1948. After his resignation as mayor, he became chairman of the Ontario Hydro commission in February 1948.
One of his mandates was developing Ontario"s waterpower resources, especially on the Saint Lawrence Seaway.
On January 14, 1955 he boarded an airplane on a business trip. The plane left Windsor, Ontario and on approach to London, Ontario, the plane crashed. The 53-year-old Saunders died as a result of the injuries he sustained.
He is buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto (section Q-207).
.. he was a person of kindness and understanding. A very human being in many capacities and in many ways.
lieutenant is a fitting tribute to his memory that the Saint Lawrence Power Project be named after him.
