Robert C. Sauter

Beloved husband, father and educator

Robert “Bob” Charles Sauter, PhD, died at his longtime home in Claremont on September 1, 2013 surrounded by family. He was 88. 

Mr. Sauter was born in Buffalo, New York, the eldest of 3 boys, and was a very loving and thoughtful son and protective big brother. After graduating from St. Joseph’s Collegiate High School in Buffalo, he enlisted in the US Navy during WWII to support his country. As a Hospital Corpsman, he was assigned to the Marines 49th battalion and experienced intense combat in Guam, Guadalcanal and Okinawa. 

After the war, Mr. Sauter attended Canisius College and studied economics and education. He became a high school teacher of history and economics in Amherst, New York where he met his wife, Joyce, who taught in the same school district.  Since their first date in 1959, their love for one another was devoted, genuine and eternal.

Mr. Sauter continued his education and earned a doctorate from the University of Buffalo, New York. In 1968, he and his wife moved to California and had 2 girls, Laurette and Robyn. He was a doting father who instilled the gifts of integrity and ambition in his daughters through example.

Mr. Sauter’s career in California was influenced by his training and missions with the Marines. He was employed at USC for many years designing the curriculum for their medical school and also worked with several state medical boards evaluating and designing exams for licensing and certification. After USC, he became Academic Dean at the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic until his retirement in 1987.

Among his many interests, Mr. Sauter enjoyed spending time with his family, watching football and managing his interest in finances. He also shared a dry sense of humor with everyone he met. He was a relatively reserved man, but extremely generous with his time and extended family. In his later years, he suffered great pain from health complications, which limited his ability to do the many things he loved most, and yet he never complained.

Mr. Sauter is survived by his wife, Joyce; by his daughters and sons-in-law, Laurette Sauter-Gaona and Lawrence Gaona and Robyn and Michael Cole; by his granddaughter, Mary Cole; by his brother, Richard Sauter; and by his faithful family dog, Pepper.

“Bob was a wonderful husband, father, father-in-law, grandpa, brother and friend and will be sorely missed,” family shared. No services are planned at this time. In lieu of flowers or a memorial donation, the family requests that you keep the honor and loving memory of Mr. Sauter alive by giving someone a hug or a smile, enjoying each day and living by the Golden Rule.

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