Raymond Saunders (February 7, 1940 – November 23, 2024) was a Canadian clockmaker who has designed and built more than 150 customized clocks that mainly serve as tourist-attracting public artworks. In 1977 he was commissioned to build a steam clock for the Gastown district of Vancouver, Canada.1 The Gastown clock may be the first steam clock ever built although there is evidence that 19th century British engineer John Inshaw made a steam clock after which was named a Birmingham pub. Saunders has since built six different public steam clocks for clients such as the city of Otaru, Japan, and the Indiana State Museum. He has also built a clock for Vancouver's York House School's 78th birthday in 2010.
In 2019, Saunders was badly injured in a fall and became semi-retired.2 He died on November 23, 2024, at the age of 84.3
References
References
- Explorer Publishing (2008). Vancouver Residents' Guide. Explorer Publishing. pp. 225–. ISBN 978-9948-03-384-4.
- Vancouver Sun. "Prominent Vancouver clockmaker on mend, must learn to walk again after fall from ladder".
- "Obituary: Ray Saunders was the keeper of Vancouver's clocks and the builder of the Gastown Steam Clock". Vancouver Sun. 24 November 2024. Retrieved 22 July 2025.