Neil Saunders

SAUNDERS
Neil DPM
Neil Saunders, devoted husband and father, podiatrist, and adventure seeker, died on Monday, October 3, 2016. He suffered from many medical issues in the past few years; most significantly back surgeries complicated by infection.
He was raised with his three sisters, Suellen, Kim, and Robin, in a loving home in the Cleveland area. His parents, Ivan and Nanci, were so proud of the successful doctor and family man he had become. Being the youngest child, his sisters had great fun dressing him up, making funny songs to tease him, and bossing him around.
After graduation from Beachwood High School, he lived on a Kibbutz in Israel, and also led a high school tour there in 1984.
He was proud of his degree from The Ohio State University, where he met and fell in love with Lynne, who would become his wife for 29 years. He went on to Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine. His wardrobe told the story of his heart: Saturday was for an OSU Buckeye sweatshirt, Sunday a Cleveland Browns sweatshirt, and surgical scrubs for every other day.
Neil lived a high-octane life. His eyes lit-up describing his first motorcycle, and the Harley he bought later in life was his real baby. He took up SCUBA diving and had dream vacations exploring the oceans around the world. He loved sharing his passion with his son, Noah. Neil's last trip was to Palau with him. His retirement dream was that he would be with Lynne, underwater and holding hands, exploring a reef.
He loved Podiatry and his patients. He treated them like his family and they cooked for him like he was theirs. Cookies, brownies, and other foil-covered treats filled his office. The women running his office worked so hard to keep up with his large patient load and try to rein-in his joke-telling and over-sharing. He relished his role as teacher as he participated in the training of the podiatry residents. He was devoted to them and they were in turn his biggest cheerleaders and supporters when he was struggling with his health.
Raised Jewish, his friendship with mentor Pastor Marilynn Schroeder, and the teachings of AA, led him to become a Christian. He was baptized at Epworth United Methodist Church with his daughter, Isabel. His faith was a deep part of his life. Neil made many a friend through his AA affiliations and church family.
His greatest joy was his family. He wanted no more than to enjoy being with Lynne and their three children, Benjamin, Noah, and Isabel. He was so proud of his kids, and was always working to be the best father to them.
His last days found him atop his leather recliner, living vicariously through the exploits of his literary heroes like Dirk Pitt. He mourned the loss of his thrill-seeking abilities. His ravaged body is gone now. His spirit can be found in the roar of motorcycles enjoying the first warm day of March, or the lap of the ocean as it meets the sand.
A gathering to celebrate the life of Dr. Neil will be held on Sunday, October 9, 2016, from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at Stone Oak Country Club in the club house.
The family suggests tributes in the form of shoes to St. Pauls Community Center, 230 13th Street, Toledo, Ohio 43604.
Online condolences may be offered to the family at
www.reebfuneralhome.com
As published in The Blade