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John R. Savery, PhD
John R. Savery, PhD
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John Savery, PhD Obituary
John R. Savery, Ph.D., passed away May 8, 2025, peacefully in Surprise, Arizona under the care of Hospice of the Valley.
John graduated from the University of Western Ontario, the University of Calgary, and was a proud PhD graduate of Indiana University Bloomington, Instructional Systems Technology doctoral program. He was a Professor at The University of Akron Education, where he was a dedicated teacher and Director of Instructional Services. He worked diligently to engage staff, faculty, and students in using technologies in the classroom.
Throughout his career, John made significant contributions to the Instructional Design field, particularly in problem based learning, online teaching, and fostering ownership for learning. He authored numerous research papers, academic book chapters, and journal articles.
John will be remembered as a positive man with a great smile, a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend.
He is survived by his wife, Carol, sons Eden (Christie Savery) of Northbrook, IL and Dylan (Jennifer Savery) of Calgary, Alberta; sisters Vicki Mclean (Anthony Mclean) of Ancaster, Ontario, and Janet Renner (Stephan Renner) of Cornwall, Ontario; grandfather of Preston Savery, Scarlett Savery, and Savannah Savery of Northbrook, IL; and Ava Savery of Sherbrooke, Quebec; and his two Vizsla dogs, Phoebe and Atticus. John was pre-deceased by his father, Jack Savery and mother Violet Savery of Cornwall, Ontario.
At John's request there will be no funeral service. A celebration of life will take place at a later date.
The family would like to thank Hospice of the Valley, Honor Health Hospitals, Wickenburg Community Hospital, Home Instead, and Dr. Mamami. Thank you to his academic colleagues and friends for their support; special friends Patrick Klecker and Kristen Manes; and neighbors of Wickenburg Ranch in Arizona.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made to your favorite animal charity or food bank. John, you made a difference in this life!
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
1969 / 70 Cornwall Ontario
Jeffrey Nault
July 1, 2025
John and I met in Grade 11 in high school in Cornwall Ontario. We had a pile of friends, but a few things really stand out about John. He was ahead of the curve. He introduced me to SciFiStranger in a Strange Land, Dune, and others. He got his license when he was 18, and started driving his dad’s Volvo. I ate my first restaurant pizza with John. He took me to Mosport Ontario for the Canadian Grand Prix.again, way ahead of the curve for me. During March break of 1969, we hitched around Ontario checking out universities, and eventually chose the University of Western Ontario (London). We rented our first apartment together, and spent a couple of years going to school, and ‘discovering’ who we were. As Frost so aptly said ‘way leads unto way’, and we found our own paths. When the internet came along, I eventually located John at the University of Akron. I was not surprised that he had a PHd. The man was always a. bright star. I had always hoped to see him again in personMy deepest condolences for Carol and family.
‘His death diminishes me’John Donne
Carol Savery
July 1, 2025
John´s Ohio Golfing Buddies: compiled by Dr. John Zipp
Remembering John Savery
Following are fond memories of John by some of his old golfing buddies. They come from playing golf with John and also from our many summer road trips to Chautauqua.
Nothing really bothered John on the golf course; he was happy to do well but never let a bad shot or another player interfere with his enjoyment. He also had a smile on his face and was a complete delight to play with. A few stories illustrate his equanimity.
"John´s Trusty 4-wood"
John and John Zipp (JZ) were playing in the Summit County Seniors´ League at Turkeyfoot Golf Course and facing two consecutive long par-5´s, down one hill (on hole 6) and then back up right next to it on the same hill (on hole 7). A long line of trees separated the two holes. John´s drive on #6 unfortunately sailed through the trees, landing in the fairway on hole #7. Ever the optimist, John pulled out his favorite club - his "trusty 4-wood" - and proudly announced that it was no problem, he would hit over the trees and be back on the #6 fairway in one swing. And, indeed he was, but not because he hit the ball over the trees but because he drilled a line drive under the trees. He smiled, stuck the club back in his bag, and acted as if he planned it all along.
As luck would have it, his drive on #7 went through the trees, now back to the fairway on hole #6. No problem, John said. This time he would hit his trusty 4-wood under the very same trees (as he did on hole 6) and be back on the #7 fairway in one shot. He lined it up, swung, and as opposed to what he predicted, he hit the ball over the trees - but in the fairway on #7. Again, he smiled like the cat that caught the bird ... and proceeded to par the hole! Luckily for him this was not pool where you had to call your shots!
"The Same Day"
John and JZ were paired against two guys we did not know and one of the guys was grumpy from the start, complaining that he could not putt with JZ standing well off to the side and behind him, looking like "a big old oak tree." Not an ideal start for guys that did not know each other and had to spend the next 4 hours together.
We really did not interact much with them across the rest of the first 9 holes, but things turned at hole 10. The grumpy Gus was to John´s left and a little in front of him as John was teeing off; John hit a crazy shot that almost hit the guy. The guy was a lot older than us, not very big, and clearly did not want any part of crossing John, so he was fine when John apologized.
On hole #11, they were on alert and stayed in their cart when John was teeing off - but amazingly he lined his drive right at their cart. Fortunately, it hit the cart, not them, but it somehow shook the grumpiness out of the guy and he was friendly the rest of the match. I guess he decided it was safer to stay on our good side .
"Don´t Take a Mulligan if You Don´t Neet it"
At Chautauqua, we play 18-holes on three consecutive days. We traditionally start with a very challenging course on Friday, one that did not have a convenient driving range for us to get loose. As a result, we allowed golfers to hit a second shot off the tee on the first hole, as a warm up of sorts. One year, John´s hit a very nice drive down the middle of the fairway on his first shot. Most of us would put down a second ball and swing for the fences, knowing that it would not count if it was not better than our initial drive. Not John; he walked off the tee box, happy with what he hit and seeing no reason to waste any energy. After that, anyone who declined a mulligan opportunity said that they were invoking "the Savery rule."
"Trivial Pursuit"
Friday night at Chautauqua is team Trivial Pursuit, an interesting blend of sort of competitive play mixed with tons of teasing when the other team is trying to come up with an answer. As you might imagine, as the game wears on, players have a bit more to drink. One year, John was really enjoying himself, and started to answer the other team´s questions in what might be accurately described as louder than a whisper. Of course, once he mentioned the answer to someone, a teammate would remind him that this was the other team´s question to answer. Unfazed, John occasionally did this again - not only that night but in future years. He did it so lovably that no one got mad at him - and he seemed to enjoy the gentle teasing.
"Scotch Savery"
Saturday night at Chautauqua is our annual music challenge and on nice nights we all sit around the firepit, look out at the lake, drink and snack, and try to figure out who submitted which songs. Many of us also bring some beer, wine, or alcohol to share with the group.
One year, Mike Jalbert brought a very nice (and expensive!) bottle of single malt Scotch. John was firmly rooted in his chair and seemingly every time someone went up to the house for another drink, John raised and shook his glass, asking for a refill of Mike J´s Scotch. John was not the only one drinking it, but he certainly made a serious contribution to emptying the bottle. Of course, we noticed John´s refill requests and hence a new nickname for him: "Scotch."
The next morning, we were sitting around, drinking coffee, etc., and John casually mentioned to Mike J that he really liked the Scotch that he brought and that he might want to pick up a bottle when he got back to Akron. Mike then told him that the Scotch cost (I forget the exact price, but this was a dozen years ago) something like $70 a bottle. John almost spit out his coffee. Obviously surprised - as we all were - but John replied that he would wait until Mike brought it again next year!
Carol Savery
July 1, 2025
Carol Savery
June 5, 2025
Cheers from John
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Lila Michael
May 20, 2025
John and Carol were two of the brightest lights in Bloomington, IN during our grad years. Carol, we send our love and condolences to you and the family. John was a witty, gentle, scholarly man. It seems not so long ago we had dinner and talked of good many things. 'I carry your heart (I carry it in my heart)' , you are so dear.
Jon E
May 15, 2025
Dr. Savery was my boss when I was a student employee at Design and Development Services at Akron. He was an exceptional boss and person. Very sad to hear about his passing.
Don and Mary Bachmann
May 15, 2025
John, you will forever be our hero for your calm advice when we were floundering. Our deepest sympathies to your family and especially your dear wife, Carol.
Liane Saeli
May 13, 2025
John will be missed. He was such a kind, positive man. Hugs Carol.
Liane
Patrick Klecker
May 12, 2025
John was a wonderful man.. My thoughts and prayers to the family.
Curt Bonk
May 12, 2025
I have taught at Indiana University for 33 years and John Savery one of the most inquisitive, sharp witted, and fun people I have met at IU. He was always more like a close colleague and faculty member than a student. His friendship is deeply missed. John was a psychologically strong and happy person to be around. He was a leader in the field of problem-based learning and constructivism even before he got his Ph.D. I remember John carry a bunch of video recording equipment to the Kelley Business School for many weeks to collect his data there on teams engaged in collaborative writing in an undergraduate business communications course back in 1995 (that later appeared as a chapter in my 1998 book, Electronic Collaborators. He later received the Outstanding Dissertation award from the IU School of Education in 1997 for that research project. I was proud be there and walk up with him when he got the award at the ceremony...I was as the representative of his dissertation committee.
I am glad that he had the chance to speak to my students a couple of times in my R511 Instructional Technology Foundations class and my R678 Emerging Learning Technologies classes in recent years. It was the highlight of the semester a few years ago when he was an online guest. As per usual, he had many great stories to tell when speaking to my students. He was always spot on in his insights and could weave a great story on the spur of the moment. He was also accommodating and adaptive if I intervened and took his stories and insights in another direction. I will miss John and his rich store of knowledge deeply.
Greg McMillan
May 11, 2025
Trudy and I were so saddened to hear about your loss. Our deepest condolences to you and your family. We wish you to find comfort in the love and support of your family and the happy memories of your life with John. Greg and Trudy McMillan
Bruce Stromberg
May 11, 2025
So fortunate for John to be in the neighborhood. A very thoughtful, kind and positive influence on those around him. Many happy times walking, golfing, dining out and spending patio time together. A lucky man with a loving and caring wife, Carol, and family and friends. John will be missed. Our hearts go out to Carol and the family.
Bruce and Kris Stromberg
Terry & Colleen Roberts
May 11, 2025
Thanks John for coming our way. We had good times in our earlier lives. We played with our kids together and provided support for each other. Colleen and I and you and Carol had great times. You will be missed.
- Terry & Colleen Roberts
Calgary, AB
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