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Charles Sauer Obituary
SAUER, CHARLES RICHARD, "Rich" 51 - of Ocean City, and originally of Haddonfield, died after a long illness. Born July 3, 1954 in Camden, the son of Captain Adrian F. and Kathryn (nee Young) Sauer, he grew up in Haddonfield. As a Haddonfield Memorial High School member of the Class of 1972, he was a photojournalist, and a leading long distance runner. He was the first in his high school to complete a marathon. Sauer began his career in human service as a teenager by working for the Haddonfield Recreation Department's summer playground program. He was also a volunteer YMCA Gray-Y youth group leader. He graduated from Richard Stockton College in 1976. In 1981, Sauer received his Master of Divinity degree from The Lutheran Seminary at Philadelphia, and for the next fourteen years served churches in Pennsylvania. During that time, he won several national awards for his writing, co-hosted the denominational television show, served as chaplain of his synod's convention, volunteered at the local homeless shelter, and taught the art of preaching at his seminary alma mater. Sauer moved to Ocean City in 1995, and soon afterwards became the executive director of CONTACT Cape-Atlantic. In 1998 the United Way of Cape May County named him "Agency Director of the Year". One year later, Sauer joined the staff of CONTACT USA as their first Director of Center Services. Sauer last served as Chief Development Officer for the Arc of Atlantic County, an agency he joined in 2002. He is survived by his beloved wife of 29 years, Christine (nee Fenstermacher), and daughters, Jamie and Meryl, all of Ocean City; and many loyal friends. Friends and family are cordially invited to a celebration of Rich's life and a luncheon at 3:00pm on April 30, 2006, at St. Peter's United Methodist Church, 8th Street and Central Avenue, Ocean City. In lieu of flowers, the family gratefully welcomes contributions to the Rob and Ade Sauer Community Foundation, 120 Central Ave., Ocean City, NJ 08226. To email condolences, please visit www.godfreyfuneralhome.com.
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Memories and Condolences
for Charles Sauer
Sue Himmelreich
May 17, 2006
Dear Chris, Jamie and Meryl, Please accept my sincerest sympathy in the loss of your husband/father. I have many memories of Rich as our pastor at St. Andrew's, but mostly of Rich as a friend. Both of us had lost our brothers and he was so understanding of my grief at that time.
I will continue to keep you in my prayers as you begin to heal.
God bless you all, Sue
Carla McLean
May 7, 2006
I am so sorry to hear about Rich's death. It is especially a shock since I didn't even know he was sick. We were junior high school sweethearts in Haddonfield. We lost touch and made contact again 4 years ago and I'm so glad we did. What a sweet and kind man and what a loss to the community and his family and friends!
Sue McAninch
May 4, 2006
Chris & Girl,
My deepest sympathy to you all. I attended Tabor Lutheran Church when Rich was a student pastor there. I also just lost my Mother on March 30, 2006 after emergency surgery. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. My faith gets me through alot of my days and I always remember that she is with Jesus and she is in a better place and out of pain. Hope your faith and family gets you through this rough road.
Love, Sue McAninch nee (Jabs)
Debbie Parker
May 3, 2006
Dear Sauer Family~
Rich was one of the most caring, dedicated, generous men I've had the privelige of knowing. I met Rich as soon as I returned to work after having my second son. We had a pleasant but very brief conversation. That same week my baby was diagnosed with a rare liver disease and I was out of work again for another three weeks. When I returned there was a card on my desk from Rich. The "new guy" I'd only briefly spoken to understood my pain and our struggles. He was a great man. I miss him.
Wendy Hoffman
May 3, 2006
Dear Sauer Family, My sympathy to you all. Pastor Rich married my Father and StepMother at St. Andrews in 1985 (Fred and Emily Kline). I know that they really thought a lot of him and your family. He will be missed greatly by all. You are in my prayers. Wendy K. Hoffman
Amy Sales
April 30, 2006
My thoughts and prayers are with your family. My mother took me to church, but it was Pastor Rich who kept me there. He was so down-to-earth and showed how easy it was to have a relationship with God without pretense and formality. His encouragement and support during his years at St. Andrews made being a teenager much easier. I have thought of him often, and each time I do I am thankful for each memory I have.
Janet Marler
April 30, 2006
Dear Meryl,
We were all so sorry to hear of your father's death. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
With love,
Janet, Bob, and Mary Beth Marler
Carmen Van Meter
April 28, 2006
My prayers are with the Sauer family at this time. I was very fortunate to have Rich come into my life for the time he worked at ARC. He was always so gracious and warm and he will be deeply missed. We have another angel in heaven
Paul Carroll
April 28, 2006
May Rich's life be a blessing to you his family and may his work inspire you to a calling which will honor his memory.
Paul Carroll
Contact of Burlington County
CATHERINE PIORKOWSKI
April 28, 2006
HOW SADDENED WE ARE. WHAT A GREAT MAN THAT WILL BE SO VERY MISSED. WE HAVE MISSED YOU ALL SINCE YOU LEFT EASTON. WE ALL LOOKED FORWARD TO RICH'S SERMONS ON SUNDAYS, HE WAS BRILLANT.CHRIS, PLEASE ACCEPT OUR HEARTFELT SYMPATHY. SINCERELY,EDWARD & KATY PIORKOWSKI
Chanise Rhoades
April 28, 2006
Dear Rich,
I will miss you so much you are on my mind all the time.
Dorothy Phillips
April 27, 2006
To the Sauer family,
Please know you are in our prayers at this time. "Pastor" Rich was such a special person. He baptised our son at St Andrews, we have many fond memories of him. He was missed and loved by so many. May he rest in peace, thank God his suffering is over.
Mark, Dorothy, & Seth Phillips
Palmer Township, PA
Kieran Murray
April 27, 2006
Rich was wonderful man whom we will all miss. Rich is now in a great place. He is in our thoughts and prayers.
Kieran and all his friends at the Crab Trap..
Kathy Miraglia
April 27, 2006
Ladies, I know you realize how sad I am at the loss of Rich Sauer. He was a gentleman in a world that has so few. He loved and lived as a wonderful human being and I am grateful for the time we shared working together with the band and beyond that. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. My sincerest condolances to you. Love, Kathy Miraglia
Gail Carroll
April 26, 2006
Sauer Family,
No words can describe the impact that Rich made on others.
I was blessed that he touched my life when he served with Contact USA and I was Executive Director of Contact Ocean County.
My sincere sympathy goes to you all. I feel I know you all as he shared his pride and love for you.
With prayers,
Gail Carroll
Murff and Donna Murphy
April 26, 2006
My heart felt love to the family. Rich talked often of his family.I worked closely with Rich on the Board of the Natnal Assoc. of CONTACT Directors and my husband and I loved him very much. He was such a special person. He seemed
to always see the best in people.
Kate Wallace
April 25, 2006
Meryl.... you and your family will always be in my thoughts. Your dad was a wonderful person and did so many great things for so many people.
Dennis Ritter
April 25, 2006
Although Rich and I lost touch with each other after I left Arndt's Lutheran Church, I thought of him often and his incredible gifts as a pastor, especially as a preacher. I was stunned and saddened when I heard of his life-threatening illness through our mutual friend, Woody Maxon. I will keep you in my prayers and am glad that Rich's suffering is at an end. I give thanks to God for knowing him as a colleague in ministry!
Katie Nell
April 25, 2006
Finst....
Love you so very much!! I am here for you always...
Rich~ Mr. Sauer~ You were loved by many and touched many people lives. You would be missed but we know that you are looking down on us from heaven...
Marie Geary
April 25, 2006
My deepest sympathy. Rich will be greatly missed.
Debbie Ruslavik
April 25, 2006
To say you will be greatly missed is an understatement!
Chris, Jamie and Meryl will be in our daily prayers, we can't even imagine what you're going through. We love all of you!
Thank you Rich for your friendship over these many many years!
We'll see you when we get home!
June and Bill Bachman
April 25, 2006
Dear Chris, Jamie, Meryl
We would like to express our deep and heartfelt sympathy over the loss of your husband/father. We were deeply saddened. Rich was a good, kindhearted man. He was loved by so many, and will be sorely missed. You will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers.
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