Richard Maxwell Sasnett IV

Richard (Rich) Maxwell Sasnett, IV (56) entered into eternal peace with our Lord on July 23, 2025.

He was born at the Providence Hospital in Columbia, SC on August 11, 1968, the oldest child of his late parents, Dr. Richard Maxwell Sasnett, III and Carol Beane Sasnett. Rich spent many years during his childhood fishing and hunting with his dad, and he learned not only the skills required, but a true love for the water and the woods.

He attended Hammond School in Columbia for 12 years, graduating with the class of 1986. Rich followed his heart to Clemson, where he earned a bachelor’s degree with a double major in psychology and religion. After completing his college education in 1993, Rich married his high school and college sweetheart, Peyton Bruner Sasnett, and they shared a true passion for nature as they lived their lives outdoors with family and friends. Professionally, Rich was the owner and operations manager of Wild Birds Unlimited in Lexington, SC from 1996 - 2006. He later sold the business to be able to spend more time with his family and raise his two children, Joyce (Joy) Peyton Sasnett Fairey and Richard Maxwell (Max) Sasnett, V.  After living in Clemson and Columbia, the family relocated to Charleston in 2013 as Rich was building his new career as a real estate appraiser. He worked in that role as staff appraiser for Class Valuation until his passing. 

Rich truly loved his family and his friends, and everyone who knew him adored him and all the stories he loved to tell. He enjoyed playing “front yard” basketball, football, baseball, and kickball with Peyton, Joy, and Max and all of their friends. He was also the premier expert on all things involving sports statistics, and he loved to discuss and debate topics regarding both teams and players in every imaginable sport. One of his most unique and enjoyable attributes was that he loved to make everyone around him laugh by dressing up as Superman (with washboard abs), Santa (with washboard abs), Buddy the Elf, the Grinch, and other various characters to humor and please his family and friends, especially after Clemson lost a football game.

 In recent years, as Joy and Max grew up, and Rich and Peyton became empty-nesters, they moved their primary residence to Edisto Island, where their relationship had originally begun with their first date in the spring of 1984, and where they have spent many years since then in the creeks and woods teaching their children about fishing and developing a passion for all things wild and natural. These passions will be carried on as part of his legacy.

Rich was preceded in death by his mother, Carol Beane Sasnett, and his father, Dr. Richard Maxwell Sasnett, III; father-in-law William Wallace Bruner Jr; nephews, Cotesworth Daniel Arrieta and Alexander Seabrook Arrieta. 

He is survived by his loving wife, Peyton Bruner Sasnett, and his children, Joyce Peyton Sasnett Fairey (James) and Richard Maxwell Sasnett, V; his brother, Cotesworth Pinckney Sasnett (Sylvia, and daughters Vanessa, Sherlyn, and Caroline), and his sister, Caroline Seabrook Sasnett Arrieta (son, Brandon (Sandra), and daughter, Leah) mother-in-law, Joyce Middleton Bruner; brothers-in-law, Henry Middleton Bruner (sons Hank and John) and William Wallace Bruner, III (Denise, sons Wallace, Jones, Cole, and daughter, Mary Brooks); aunts and uncles, Molly Hughes (Roland) and John Robert Beane Jr. (Marilyn); and many cousins. He is survived also by many dear, lifelong friends. 

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at 3:00pm at Trinity Church on Edisto Island (1589 SC-174, Edisto Island, SC 29438). The family asks that colors be worn at the celebration in honor and memory of Rich’s jovial, good-humored, and sociable fashion sense and personality.

 A gathering of family and friends will be held immediately following the service at the home of Rob Robertson, one of Rich’s life-long best friends and Joy’s godfather, at 2302 Myrtle Street (Sea Myrtle Cottage), on the corner of Myrtle St. and Seabrook Rd. on Edisto Beach. 

Those wishing to honor and celebrate the life of Richard M. Sasnett, IV are encouraged to make donations to The South Carolina Wildlife Federation (1519 Richland St, Columbia, SC 29201) or the Clemson Forever Fund; ensure you indicate Richard M. Sasnett, IV (class of 1993) as to whom your gift will be in memory of. 

Rich’s family expresses deep and sincere gratitude to the Reverend Wey Camp at Trinity Church on Edisto Island for his loving care and support during this very difficult time. For letters, notes, and cards for the family, please mail to Peyton Sasnett, 1264 Fenwick Plantation Rd, Johns Island, SC 29455.