Paul T. Sawyer

1940 - 2023

Paul T. Sawyer

August 7, 1940 - September 15, 2023

Professor Emeritus Paul T. Sawyer passed away in Burlington, Vermont at the age of 83 on September 15, 2023 after a long illness.

Paul was born August 7, 1940, along with his sister, Carol and brother, Allen to Maurice E. Sawyer and Ruth T. Sawyer in Hanover, NH. The triplets (Paul always claimed that he was the member of two sets of twins) were raised on a farm.

Paul Sawyer earned his BS in Agriculture with a major in Botany from the University of Vermont in 1965. He received an M.S. in Botany from Montana State University in 1967 and a Ph.D. in Botany from Montana State University in 1970. Professor Sawyer joined the faculty of the Montana College of Mineral Science & Technology in 1969 (later renamed Montana Tech for the remainder of Paul's career).

Professor Sawyer had a significant impact on the College and the Department of Biological Sciences. He came to Tech and participated in the inception of the Department and played a major role in its initial development and transition to a degree-granting program. Dr. Sawyer was department chair of Biology for eight years and led the development of a degree granting program. He participated in many campus committees and projects. including the renovation of the Chemistry-Biology Building and the greenhouse is named after Paul. Professor Sawyer continued to support undergraduate research throughout his career. His management of the undergraduate research program proved extremely helpful in enhancing science education at Montana Tech. His continued support and participation in the Montana Academy of Sciences enhanced the advancement of science in the State of Montana.

As one of Tech's most accomplished teachers. Professor Sawyer received several awards. including the Amoco Outstanding Teacher Award in 1977 and the Burlington Northern Foundation Faculty Achievement Award in 1988. He received the Montana Tech Outstanding Achievement Award in 1999. Students appreciated his concern and his organized, professional, and up-to-date approach to teaching.

Professor Sawyer provided a unique mix of public service at the local, State and national levels. He served on the St. James Community Hospital Ethics Committee, the Board of Directors for the Teachers Credit Union, and as the Executive Director of the Montana Academy of Sciences for many years. For many, the name "Paul Sawyer" has been synonymous with "cross-country skiing." Professor Sawyer not only introduced many to the sport he served the sport as a board member, Chairman of the Cross-Country Committee, and Vice President of the United States Ski Association. His service has improved the quality of life for many people. Paul established one of the best cross-country areas north of Butte (the Moulton) in the state. He provided an enormous amount of design and maintenance for the ski trails. In 1997, Paul organized the Calypso chapter of the native plant society and led plant enthusiasts on outings identifying native plants.

Paul was always up for an adventure with an emphasis on the adventure, as these were not merely outings, but contained a real chance that things could go badly wrong. Once a plan for an outing was hatched there was with Paul no turning back, regardless of how ominous and foreboding weather or terrain might be. In hindsight the survivors of these adventures remember them fondly and were the better for their experience with Paul. He restored an old milkhouse into a usable cabin in a Moulton area meadow, and used it often to host friends and cross-country skiing events.

Professor Sawyer remained active in research throughout his career. Not only did he conduct his own projects and provided valuable plant taxonomic services to the public, but he also supervised and inspired many students in their own endeavors.

After retirement, Dr. Sawyer collected antique cars. He traveled in "4- and 6-cylinder tours" through many states exhibiting his models dating from 1927 through the 1960s.

Paul leaves behind his brother, Allen Sawyer and wife Elissa, Carol Corneille, his sister, three nephews: Scott and Douglass Corneille and Andrew Sawyer.

Finally, Professor Sawyer's humor/puns will be greatly missed.

A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, November 7, from 3:00-5:00 p.m. in the Poore Room on the 2nd floor of the University Relations Center at 1408 Granite Street in Butte adjacent to and just north of Montana Tech.