Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

Martin Peter Sayers

About

Upper Arlington High School Ohio State University

Martin Sayers Obituary

Sayers Martin Peter Sayers, M.D., died June 17, 2013 in Columbus, Ohio after 91 full and productive years of life. "Pete" to his many friends grew up in the early years of Upper Arlington, Ohio, which had been founded and developed by his uncles, King and Ben Thompson, and laid out by his father, Delbert Bancroft Sayers, as civil engineer. Peter graduated from Upper Arlington High School in 1939, where he was class vice-president and captain of the football team. During his first two years at The Ohio State University, he played football and was president of the sophomore class. In the middle of his sophomore year, the United States entered WWII and needed doctors. Pete enlisted in the U.S. Navy, and matriculated in a condensed college/medical school program at OSU. Upon graduation he continued on active duty at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Roanoke, Virginia. After the war, Peter interned at Philadelphia General Hospital, where he participated in the development of and pioneered the surgical insertion of a "shunt" to relieve water pressure on the brain for patients with hydrocephalus. Returning to Columbus following his naval service, Peter established The OSU College of Medicine Department of Pediatric Neurological Surgery, which he headed until his retirement in 1987. He was elected President of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons in 1961, and the Neurosurgical Society of America in 1983. He is credited with the introduction of several important procedures in Neurosurgery, especially in the Pediatric field. Peter married childhood sweetheart Marjorie Garvin in 1943. They enjoyed 70 years of a wonderful marriage, and are survived by sons, Daniel Garvin Sayers, M.D. (Linda), Stephen Putnam Sayers (Carina); daughters, Julia Sayers Bolton (Charles) and Elaine Sayers Buck (David); 11 grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren. There will be a memorial service this Saturday, June 22, at 10 a.m. at First Community Church, 1320 Cambridge Boulevard, Columbus, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the UAPL Development Fund of the Upper Arlington Public Library System, The Education Fund at Nationwide Children's Hospital, or the First Community Foundation.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Columbus Dispatch from Jun. 20 to Jun. 21, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Martin Sayers

17 Entries

Joseph Hobson

March 8, 2025

Dr. Sayers was my doctor in mid-1956. I was 11-years old at the time. It was determined that I had a blood clot on the brain. Dr. Sayers and his team successfully removed the blood clot. My parents had medical insurance that paid about half of the doctor bills. When my mother told Dr. Sayers that she didn't have the money to pay all of the balance at the time, Dr. Sayers told her to pay when she could. This amount was less than $400. But, in 1956, that was a lot of money for my parents. I have never forgotten this wonderful person.

Ursula (and VENUS) SNYDER

March 1, 2024

Dr. Sayers was a man whose intellect and compassion was guided by God. With his great wisdom he saved my sister's life ( from birth) by completing 6 brain surgeries on her before the age of 2&1/2 years by installing then perfecting & performing her multiple "shunt surgeries" over the years of her life. Thanks to his wisdom and bravery he has given my sister a full life she enjoys to this day at the age of 59. Her life expectancy was days not years before Dr. Sayers came into my family's life.
After seeing his obituary for the first time, I was compelled to sign in and thank him for his skills, bravery, and compassion ( not only to my sister but to my parents) over the years. I am the little sister and with out his guidance and reassurance, I would never have been born. ( Because my mother was afraid to have more children after my sister's birth and medical situations- but he convinced my mother this situation would not occur in her future children- so he in a sense saved me also.)
After reading his accomplishments over his life time, I have come to the conclusion Dr. Sayers was the greatest Neurosurgeons and man of our time.

Jeffrey A. Shepherd

January 16, 2024

The measure of a great man is knowing his place in this world and using that position to improve & save the lives of it´s people. Dr. Sayers delivered that in Spades while being humble as well. When I was in the 1st grade
(1960) the teacher noticed I couldn´t see well & moved me closer until my desk was up to the chalk tray & I couldn´t see what she had just drawn there.
The family was called in & off to Children´s Hospital we go. I remember seeing the pretty colored spots between me & the dash & saying "Mommy can´t you see the pretty spots?" When I reached to grab them they disappeared in my hand as my Mom cried. As my sight dwindled into darkness, Dr Sayers did everything possible to figure out why. After much testing, he had the courage to tell my Mom & Dad "As of yet, we don´t know." My Dad got a Bible & read it front to back & said, " I´m gonna go find a Church that does exactly what that says." We were told that even if my sight returned I would probably never have 20/20 again. It returned after nearly two weeks surprisingly to 20/20!
Dr. Sayers told my Dad, "I´d like to claim credit for this, but it took a Greater Physician than me to do this!" I´ll be 70 in a couple of weeks & still have good vision. (Reading glasses of course) My Dad found the exact Church he was searching for & now generations of our large family are active Church Of Christ members. Dr. Sayers not only honored God for my healing on this world, but helped plant the seed for our family in the next one. He may not have saved my life like he did for countless others, but he just might have saved a lot of souls in the meantime. My family & I will be forever grateful for the influence Dr. Martin P. Sayers has made on our lives. From the bottom I´ve my heart,Thank You.
Jeffrey A. Shepherd

leslie stark

April 1, 2014

dr. martin peter sayers as I know him when I was in 7th grade back in the late 60s...SAVED MY LIFE. GOD bless u for the experiment u decided to do during my fiberious displashia operation, following up again in the early 70s another surgery planned replacing the bad bone taken with the good bone from the top of my head.. ive always thought of u dr. peter all these years, and know one day we will see each other again... :)

William Bryan

July 20, 2013

I was born with hydrocephalous more than 50 years ago. My parents drove me to Columbus, where a young neurosurgeon operated on me and by virtue of his talented mind and skillful hands, along with the grace of God, I have lived a normal, healthy life. I am thankful for Dr. Sayers and mourn his passing. My condolences to Mrs. Sayers, his children and grandchildren.

Justi Miller RN

July 17, 2013

I worked with Dr. Sayers for about 15 years @ Children's Hospital He was a joy to work with and was a wonderful physician. His contributions to Pediatric Neurosurgery will continue to save and change lives. He will be missed.

Patty Rodriguez

June 25, 2013

Dr. Sayers was a wonderful man that will be missed by all. He was always so kind to my son, Brian and I. Miss ya Pete

Mike Wagenbrenner

June 24, 2013

I am sad to here of Pete's passing. When i think of gentlemen, he is the 1st person that comes to mind. Pete, thank you for introducing us to heaven on earth and may God hold you close. My deepest sympathy to Marg and all the Sayer family.

Janet Riemenschneider-Green

June 22, 2013

My deepest condolences to the family of Dr. Sayers. I owe my life to him when at the age of 2 years I was hit by a car and suffered an open skull fracture that required reconstructive surgery. I've been a registered dietitian for 22 years and have 3 beautiful children. Please know how important a person he was to me.
Sincerely,

June 22, 2013

Dr. Sayers was my neurosurgeon in 1966 and again in 1984 to repair a severely ruptured lumbar disc. I was 12 years old when my family met him at Children's Hosp. He was then, and remains my "hero."
Dana Shouldis - Lancaster, OH

Ronnie

June 22, 2013

It was a honor having this wonderful couple ar residents of First Community Village. I was awed at their deep sense of love for each other and touched by their genuine compassion and concern for
all who were lucky enough to know them
God bless you and your family at this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all

Lisa (Higgins) Canfield

June 21, 2013

To the family of Dr. Sayers, I am deeply sadden to see that this great man is now in a better place. If Dr. Sayers would have not been here in 1963 the year I was born I may not have made it. Dr. Sayers did shunt surgery on me at 17 days old. Once again when I was 17 and had to have my shunt replaced he once again was at my side. I will always have a special place for him in my heart. God Bless you.

Rachael Binder

June 21, 2013

Dear Sayers Family,
My mother, Penny Pettus, worked in Dr. Sayers' office for many years as I was growing up and he was an amazing individual. He even helped my with a school project and taught me much about surgery and patient outcomes...part of why I have been a surgical nurse for eighteen years! My mother called him "Martin Peter" so...farewell Martin Peter. You had a great impact on many lives!

Steven Fisher

June 21, 2013

If it was not for this man and great Dr I would not be alive today.
Thank you so much Dr Sayers for touching my life the way you did.

Robert Corea

June 21, 2013

He was an extraordinary half of an extraordinary couple. I was honored to know them for all my years as a resident of canterbury village. May he rest in peace. Marjorie, take comfort in knowing you did it right.

Bob Corea

June 21, 2013

No finer man ever existed on Earth. The Sayers family and all who knew him have lost a most wonderful, loving father, grandfather, husband and friend. You are all in my heart, Patty Zartman Nichols

Yvette Higgins

June 20, 2013

He was my doctor for 25 years of my younger life - from age 10 to 35 - while I strove to contorl my epilepsy. He said I would grow out of it, and I did. Because he had a way of making a child feel special, I looked forward to my annual visits with him. I remember reading about him when he retired. As an adult, I am now awed by his work and accomplishments. His family has my sympathy & prayers.

Showing 1 - 17 of 17 results