Robert F. Sawyer

Robert F. Sawyer, aged 97, died peacefully in Palo Alto on Friday, July 14th. Bob lived with great intellect, love for family and friends, a fierce drive to overcome any adversity and a deep and abiding faith. He was a native of Southern California and a graduate of Stanford University for his AB and his MBA. Bob always credited the U.S. Army with providing the option to attend Stanford in the ROTC and later, under the GI Bill. His Stanford education fostered a conviction that education can provide a pathway for opportunity. After graduating from Stanford Graduate School of Business, Bob began his first entrepreneurial endeavor by selling insurance in San Francisco and later founded Woodruff-Sawyer & Co. During his tenure as President from 1959 To 1995, Woodruff-Sawyer became a respected firm which has grown into one of the largest independent brokers in the country. Bob married Ellen Aldag in 1953, his beloved wife of 47 years, and they settled in San Mateo where they raised their son, Stephen, and daughter, Wende. Bob and Ellen shared a love of nature at their cabin in Bucks Lake where there spent every summer. He was devoted to philanthropy and volunteer activities to give back to his community through the First Presbyterian Church of Burlingame, Stanford University, and local healthcare organizations. He served on the board of the Mills-Peninsula Hospital for 30 years and Mission Hospice's Board for 9 years. After being widowed 23 years ago, Bob moved into the Vi Palo Alto where he enjoyed a new community of friends, including his long-term companion, Ann Marie Mix. Bob was a remarkable father to Steve (Meritt) and Wende (Tom) and a dedicated grandfather to Ryan Sawyer, Kendra Sawyer Varnell (Matt), and Clary Sawyer, and Cameron Hutton (fiancé Katie) and Rachel Hutton (fiancé Dustin). In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorial gifts to two of Bob's favorite causes, Mission Hospice, 66 Bovet Ave, Suite 100, San Mateo, 94402 or ReSurge International, 756 N Pastoria Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94085.