A self-proclaimed Old Timer, the late Nestor "Sandy" J. Sander made many contributions to Aramco ExPats in the form of old photographs and written recollections of his early days with Aramco.
In 1941 Nestor "Sandy" J. Sander joined the American army and was assigned to intelligence services in Northern Africa and Europe because he could speak and read French (as well as German, Italian and Spanish). In Paris, he met Georgette Cordin, and they were married in 1946. Later the same year, Nestor was back in Saudi Arabia, followed by "Georgia" a few months later. They lived in Dhahran until late 1951.
Nestor was an accomplished author, historian, and educator chronicling much of his life. The following two articles written by Nestor are shining examples of his work. Additionally, we share rare photos of Saudi Arabia and scenes from working in the desert as seen through Nestor's lens in the late 40s and early 50s.
"One Friday morning in the blue-tinted bedroom of our Dhahran duplex we awakened very early. We planned a picnic, not to Half-Moon Bay where everyone went, but to an artesian pool, a small lake north of Qatif, a seacoast town."
The First King of Saudi Arabia
"On 1 May 1939, after dinner with him in the new mess hall, I gripped briefly the scarred, long-fingered, sinewy hand of the first king of Saudi Arabia: Abdul Aziz ibn Abdur Rahman ibn Faisal ibn Turki as Saud."
Saudi Arabia by Nestor Sander
Donkey with Henna - 1939
Photo Contributed By Nestor Sander
Young Children in Hofuf -1939
Photo Contributed By Nestor Sander
Bedouin Woman - 1949
Photo Contributed By Nestor Sander
Bedouin – 1949
Photo Contributed By Nestor Sander
Qasr Marid -1949
Photo Contributed By Nestor Sander
Khobar Pier - 1938
Photo Contributed By Nestor Sander
Guides and soldiers 1939
Photo Contributed By Nestor Sander
Ain Dar One -1947
Photo Contributed By Nestor Sander
Wadi Birq - 1947
Photo Contributed By Nestor Sander
Pictures in ca. 1950
Georgia Sander
Photo Contributed By Nestor Sander
Friend's at Ras Tanura in 1950
Photo Contributed By Nestor Sander
Local Scenes
Pond at Qatif
Photo Contributed By Nestor Sander
CAL Arabia Launch and Dhow
Photo Contributed By Nestor Sander
Boy Dressed in Holdiay Finery - 1940 Hofuf
Photo Contributed By Nestor Sander
Women Dressed for Id al Fitr - 1940 Hofuf
Photo Contributed By Nestor Sander
Man and Wife - 1940 Hofuf
Photo Contributed By Nestor Sander
Coffee Shop – 1940 Hofuf
Photo Contributed By Nestor Sander
Surrounding Area in the lates 1940's
Al Khobar Suq
Photo Contributed By Nestor John Sander
Safwa Fort
Photo Contributed By Nestor John Sander
Qatif Gardens
Photo Contributed By Nestor John Sander
Boy and Donkey at the Qatif Gardens
Photo Contributed By Nestor John Sander
Working in the Desert
Haircut for Stew Bevan
Photo Contributed By Nestor John Sander
Pump Station at Badanah
Photo Contributed By Nestor John Sander
Outlier of the Tuwaiqs
Photo Contributed By Nestor John Sander
Field Trip - Dinner in the Desert
Photo Contributed By Nestor John Sander
Fire at Damman 12
Photo Contributed By Nestor John Sander
Gazelle
Photo Contributed By Nestor John Sander
Bringing in the Firewood
Photo Contributed By Nestor John Sander
Living in the Desert
Photo Contributed By Nestor John Sander
White Camel
Photo Contributed By Nestor John Sander