Pandel Savic

1925 - 2018

Savic, Pandel
1925 - 2018
Pandel Savic, passed away on June 12, 2018 at the age of 92 years. He was preceded in death by his father Michael Savic, mother Veda Savic, stepmother Margaret Savic, and wife of 35 years, Janice Hollinger Savic. A native of Dragos, Macedonia, Pandel immigrated to the United States by himself at the age of nine in 1935 after his mother and grandmother died and when his father, already in America, then sent for him. He attended school in Girard, Ohio where he began several years behind his classmates in order to learn English but quickly caught up, becoming an excellent student. He was a star athlete in three sports for Girard High School: football, basketball, and baseball. He earned a football scholarship to Ohio State but upon graduating in 1943 he joined the Marine Corps. Pfc. Savic served with the First Marine Division in the South Pacific Theatre during World War II. As an amphibious tractor driver, he participated in the Battle of Peleliu, considered one of the most murderous battles in the history of mankind, delivering Marines in the first wave to the beaches where only a few craft made it ashore. In the equally horrific Battle of Okinawa, Pandel did the same, ferrying troops deep into the island and narrowly escaping death in numerous engagements. At the end of the war, he was offered a position in Officers Training School but decided to honor his commitment to play football for Ohio State instead. At Ohio State, he played three years of varsity football as quarterback from 1947 through 1949. Playing for Coach Wes Fesler's 1949 team, he tossed the long pass in the late going against Michigan which tied the game and earned the team the Big Ten Championship and a trip to the Rose Bowl. The team, known as the Comeback Kids, went on to beat highly favored California in Pasadena, OSU's first ever victory in the Rose Bowl. Though drafted by the Green Bay Packers, Savic instead pursued a career in business. Partnering with former OSU teammate David Templeton, Savic helped build the industrial supply company Twyman-Templeton, later known as Twyman Safety, into the largest privately held personal protection enterprise in the country with offices from coast to coast. A tough, innovative and instinctive leader, Savic was very proud of this achievement. He was a dearly loved father figure to his employees, full of encouragement and drive. When Pandel and Janice were first married and raising young children in Upper Arlington, Jack and Barbara Nicklaus lived across the street. Deep and lifelong friendships were formed. The families traveled together, including to PGA Tour events. Pandel and Janice attended the Masters Tournament for decades, staying with the Nicklaus's and witnessing his championships there. In 1961, Pandel and Jack won the National Pro-Am in Cincinnati. In 1975, Pandel became a Founder of Muirfield Village Golf Club along with Jack, Bob Hoag, and Ivor Young. He was appointed the next year as Chairman of the Memorial Tournament and helped build the event into one of the premier stops on the tour. Pandel was a great player in his own right, winning club championships at Muirfield Village Golf Club and Scioto Country Club and nearly winning the Ohio Amateur several times. He served two stints as President of Scioto in the 1960s and 70s. Family and friends were the keynotes of Pandel's life. He was a passionate and loving husband to Janice who died at the age of 59 in 1991. He was a warm, caring, and at times demanding father to his children who all loved him deeply and will miss him terribly. Pandel is survived by his three children, Sally Savic Lewis, Stephanie Savic Polk, and David Savic; grandchildren, Maxwell Lewis, Hartley Lewis, Redmon Polk, Sally Louise Polk, Veda Marie Polk, Pandel North Savic, and Will Savic; and brother-in-law, Tim Hollinger and his family. A memoir of Pandel's remarkable life has been written with all proceeds going to The Alzheimer's Association. Calling hours are from 2-5pm Sunday, June 17, 2018 at SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST CHAPEL, 1740 Zollinger Road, Upper Arlington. Private services at a later date. Gifts in remembrance of Pandel, and in lieu of flowers, may be sent to the Alzheimer's Association. To share memories or condolences, please visit www.schoedinger.com.