Donald John Sauer

1931 - 2021

Donald John Sauer

Big Flats, NY - Passed away on Thursday, May 13, 2021. Donald was born in Brooklyn, NY on December 25, 1931, son of the late Theodore and Viola Sauer. He left Erasmus Hall High School before graduation when drafted as a pitcher by the St. Louis Cardinals, playing on a farm team before his baseball career was cut short by an injury. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1951 at the dawn of the computer age, which led to his subsequent career in data processing. He earned his diploma through attending night school and after leaving the Air Force at the rank of Airman First Class, he earned a bachelor's degree in computer science from Fairleigh-Dickinson University. He loved baseball, especially cheering for the NY Yankees, playing golf, and in his later years enjoyed traveling with his wife, Donna, including excursions in their RV, an Alaskan cruise, a trip to Hawaii that included a helicopter ride over active volcanoes, and visits to reconnect with family members. As his health declined he became a home body with Donna as his private nurse caring for him until the day before he went to his eternal rest. Donald was pre-deceased by his sister, Dorothy McLaughlin, brother, Robert Sauer and by grandson Jeremy Chatterton and great-grandson Everett David Chatterton. In addition to Donna, his wife of twenty-seven years, Donald is survived by his three children, Donna Chatterton, Steven Sauer and Suzanne Heigh, from his first marriage to Phyllis Van Wagenen. He is also survived by Donna's children, Charles A. Rowe, Carlene (John) Potter, Colin Rowe (Jim Gilmartin), and Christopher (Wanda) Rowe and many grandchildren and great grandchildren, extended family members and his dogs Prince, Mr. Jiggs and cat Tiffany. The family will welcome relatives and friends to Sullivan's Funeral Home, 365 E. Franklin St. at Rt. 13, Horseheads, NY on Monday, May 17, 2021 from 3-4PM with a Memorial Service to follow at 4PM with Pastor Rhonda Kouterick. As all are welcome, we will be adhering to current state and local protocols. The family would like to thank the nurses at Arnot Ogden Medical Center, who took such good care of Donald and his wife. Those wishing to remember Donald please consider donations to Wilmont Cancer Center and Hope Lodge both of Rochester, NY, First United Methodist Church, Horseheads, NY or your local SPCA in his memory. Condolences and words of comfort may be expressed at Donald's Book of Memories at www.sullivansfuneralhome.com.