Robert William SAWYER

Bob was likely also born at Chicago's Mercy Hospital (like bro Jim i.e. Clifford's oldest bro Dr Chas 'Tom' S was chf of staff there). Click on Clifford's page above and/or (via Cliff) bro Jim's page to read about the boys' growing up years. Bob would've grad'd (Central?) HS May 1946. JCS said Bob was the 'golden boy' of the family, active in sports and popular with peers. His Wheaton College years were Sep '46 to May '50, majored 1st in math/engineering but later changed to Greek due to Jim ELLIOT's influence in Bob's sophomore year.

Bob's roomate was Jim ELLIOT, and he had a HUGE impact on Bob (chg'd him from a 'good-time Charlie' to super-serious about his [newly Plymouth Brethren (PB), like JE] Chr faith). After his Wheaton graduation [1950], Bob earned a 2-year Master's degree in Remedial Education at the Univ of MN. While there he met Lois (b. 4-22-28 Wiley, not far from Lamar in SE CO) who was doing her Nursing clinicals after graduating from Nurse's training in Denver. They married 12/29/51. Bob was drafted into the US Army in 1952 (2yr term to '54). He was sent for special training by A.E.C. (Atomic Energy Commission) to Sandia National Lab and School at Kirtland AFB, Albuquerque, NM. Bob had been awarded a sharpshooter's badge earlier during his active duty and it may've been that and his proven intelligence (college education) that got him assigned to Sandia's Nuclear Weapons Center (NWC). This was likely an honor i.e. not many army recruits would be so assigned, but Bob was never proud of being associated with these WMDs. He was thankful he never had to shoot anyone. During that time, his brother Jim and wife Rosena also moved there, so they lived close-by i.e. in married housing on the grounds of Kirtland.

After Army service, Bob accepted a charge to manage Faith Orphanage (Christian Home for Children) at Colorado Springs, CO (or 1st the remote outpost one til '62, then CO Spgs one '62-66). The family moved to Allendale '66 since he'd taken a job as teacher in the local public school. He was (in 71 at Sue's HS graduation) a teacher in Allendale, MI. His wife was (in 71) a registered nurse (volunteered at Rest Haven).

In 1956 Jim ELLIOT and 4 others (cf below) were k. by Auca Indians in remote part of Ecuador. This created a big 'shock wave' among evangelicals and hit Bob esp. hard. He'd greatly admired JE and soon after Bob felt God was calling him to take on JE's legacy. Instead of drifting away from PB thinking, he 'doubled down', intending to 'take on' JE's legacy himself. After the Army Bob/Lois spent time in a remote place (where?) as missionaries with very little pay, which his brother admired but was also concerned about. That service apparently lasted from 1954 to 1962 when the growing family moved to CO Spgs to run the 'Christian Home for Children' at 1880 S Cascade Ave. It was later (after they'd left) renamed Family Life Services, refocused on on single moms and their kids (cf link). From there they moved to Allendale, MI in 1966 after Bob got a teaching job at the local public school.

They stayed in Allendale til Sue's death [Bob didn't retire, right?]. After pondering what to do next, Bob/Lois sold the house and headed to Jumilla (Murcia), [SE] Spain in 1986 [Bob was 58yo], running a mission there and staying 12yrs til 1998 [70yo]. After returning to the US, Bob/Lois stayed 4yrs [98-02 (or 2 to 00?)] at Wheaton College's Missionary Apartment Housing complex as on-site managers. This was supervised by Jane (ELLIOT) HAWTHORNE, Jim's younger sister. Interestingly, Jane's husband Gerald taught Greek at Wheaton College and also served as Chair of the Institute for Biblical Research (IBR, cf Jane's 8-12-10 obit).

Then in 2002 (or 00?) they moved to Little Chute, WI to be closer to son Ben - he was living in Green Bay at the time - and also to support a struggling PB assembly [Gospel Hall] there. Tim GESKE gave a nice testimony of their help there during Bob's memorial service. In JCS' address book, there's 1 more address shown BEFORE they moved to Rest Haven in 2005; that's Glen Ellyn, IL. Rosena noted at the WI addr that they 'moved 4-22-00' [apparently from Wheaton to WI]. Both JRS and DBS remember visiting them there, even staying overnight [dates?]. Was this another mission? Glen Ellyn is the next town over from Wheaton. If they stayed in WI 3yrs from 00-3, they would've been in Glen Ellyn 03-5, when they moved to Rest Haven on 4-30-05, 1st to the cottage at 727 Rehoboth, then into main bldg (Bob 1st, Lois 2nd).

Because Jim ELLIOT had such a big effect on Bob, here's a short sketch of his life. He was b1927 [grad HS '45, college '49] Portland, OR, was good-looking, with an engaging personality, knew how to work hard, played sports, got good grades, and grad'd 1949 with highest honors from Wheaton College. Tho a good candidate for 'the American dream', HIS dream was to know God and serve Him on the mission field, sacrificially if necessary. He wrote in his journal: 'He is no fool who gives what he can't keep to gain what he can't lose'. At Wheaton, Jim fell in love with Elisabeth HOWARD, but delayed engagement til God gave him a direction for his life. By 1952 he felt God was calling him to Ecuador, to bring the gospel to native tribes who hadn't heard it. Elisabeth [he called her 'Betty'] joined him there a year later, and they were m. 10-8-53 in Quito just before heading to their newly assigned village of Puyupungu to open a new school. A few years later the ELLIOTs teamed with 4 other missionary couples - Pete/Olive FLEMING, Nate/Marj SAINT, Roger/Barbara YOUDERIAN, Ed/Marilou McCULLY - in a daring, secret plan to contact the fierce Waorani tribe (aka Aucas). 'Daring' because they were known killers of outsiders, and 'secret' because the 4 couples wanted to avoid any publicity. After months of locating a village by plane and air-dropping gifts, the 5 men decided to make contact. Pilot Nate flew them to a sandy beach on the banks of a nearby river on Tu 1-3-56 where they camped and waited. On Fr a Waorani man and 2 women appeared at their camp for a friendly exchange. The men were excited. But Su their wives failed to rcv the normal daily radio contact, and a search party later discovered their 5 bodies, pierced by Waorani spears, floating in the river. Trajedy? Yes. A waste? No, since several years later Elis and Nate's sister Rachel were invited to live in the Waorani village, translate the Scriptures and share the gospel [Steve SAINT also went later]. Many Waorani [including murderers] gave their lives to Christ (from Christian Heroes, Dave/Neta JACKSON, Tyndale, 2005).

Bob's addresses:
- 1952-4 Kirtland AFB, Albuquerque, NM
- 1954-62 remote 1st mission addr?
- 1962-6 1880 S Cascade Ave, CO Spgs, CO 80906
- 1966-86 5932 Countryview, Allendale, MI 49401
- 1986-98 Avenida de Levante 23 3B, Jumilla (Murcia), Spain 30520 (phone 011-34-68-763-125
- 1998-0? Missionary Apartment Housing, Wheaton College [98 to 00 or 02?]
- 200?-? 1617 Freedom Rd, Apt 4, Little Chute, WI 54140 [JCS: 'moved 4-22-00']
- 200?-5 531 Pershing, Apt C, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137 (DBS/JRS visited them here when?)
- 2005-19 727 Rehoboth NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505 (Rest Haven cottage, moved 4-30-2005)
- 20xx Bob moved to main bldg date? Lois moved date? (Faith, Hope, Love wings)

Mr Robert William Sawyer of Grand Rapids, MI, age 91, entered the Lord's presence peacefully and painlessly on We 7 Aug 2019. He was born to Clifford and Mabel (Grunnett) Sawyer on Th 16 Feb 1928, in Minneapolis, MN. Robert was a great Dad and will be deeply missed. He was a loving, consistent, faithful, and a Godly example. Robert was a missionary in Spain, active in his local church, an avid golfer, and enjoyed traveling with his wife, Lois. He was also a proud veteran of the United States Army and served during the Korean War. Robert is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 68 years, Lois; loving children, John (Michele) Sawyer and Ben (Linda) Sawyer; 10 gkids and 7 ggkids, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Susan Jean Sawyer; son, Steven James Sawyer; and brother, Jim (Rosena) Sawyer. The family would like to thank Faith Hospice and the Staff at Rest Haven Assisted Living for their care and compassion towards Robert and family. At Roberts request, a private memorial service will be held at a later date with family. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to offer expressions of sympathy may make a memorial contribution to Global Bible Initiative, 2990 Franklin SW Street, Grandville MI, 49418. Pub'd in Grand Rapids Press Su 11 Aug 2019.

Memorial Svc held at Rest Haven on Sa 10-5-2019, JRS, SPS and DBS attended w/~100 others, standing room only. program showed HS (college?) pic of Bob, Ben opened w/ref to Steve/Sue (he'd asked Lois if its OK and she said yes, 'we have nothing to hide and nothing to brag about'), then all sang 7 vs's of Amazing Grace (Lois liked to say 'Jesus is not just enough, He's MORE than enough'). Then John read 1 Cor. 15:35-58, then comments from 10-12 friends, including SPS ('how are things spiritually', short prayer w/hungry kids), many others expressed how important Bob/L were to them, like family, one said Bob would want Jumilla mentioned, many came to Christ there, John? (Mr) BJORLIE mentioned how he and wife name? (both from ND/SD? she did Lois' hair while we talked w/Lois, very nice) were invited to stay w/Bob/L and later m., so 'matchmaking' ... then hymn 'When This Passing World is Done' (McCHEYNE 1837, but also video of 2 girls singing 'Be Still My Soul', not on program, hmmm), then John's msg on 'What is Heaven Like?' (he used pics of tabernacle to illustrate how we'll like go thru Gate, stop at Alter, Laver, then thru torn curtain to Holy of Holies and meet God ... then Bethany BJORLIE beautifully singing (w/piano played by ?) 'And is it so, I shall be like Thy Son?' by John Nelson DARBY (!?), then Eulogy and closing prayer, followed by refreshments (cookies ...), very nice

~2yo Bob and ~1yo Jim

~3yo Bob and ~2yo Jim

Horsing around at Albuquerque, NM 1953

Bob/Lois c1951 (around wedding?)

early '60s with G/G Sawyer (likely Denver)

early '60s at remote outpost (or CO Spgs)?

early days for Bob/Lois

Bob/Lois c2000s

taken Fr 10-4-19 SW area of Fairplains Cemetery at Knapp/Diamond NE, no stone yet but still visible center,
ofc in b/g off Diamond (near SW corner of cemetery), looking NW