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Frederick W. Sauers

1929 - 2017

Frederick W. Sauers obituary, 1929-2017, Burr Ridge, IL

Frederick Sauers Obituary

Frederick William Sauers

Born: February 9, 1929; in Indianapolis, IN

Died: November 22, 2017; in Burr Ridge, IL

Frederick William Sauers, 88, died peacefully in the company of his family at King Bruwaert House in Burr Ridge, Illinois, on Wednesday, November 22, 2017.

Fred was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on February 9, 1929, to Charles and Elizabeth (Thiem) Sauers. He graduated from Lyons Township High School in LaGrange, Illinois, and earned an MBA from the Wharton School at Penn, where he wrote his thesis on US labor union ballads. After serving two years in the US Army at Fort Lawton in Seattle, Washington, he settled in Chicagoland. He began his career in data processing at ITT-Kellogg and was a pioneer of electronic data interchange during his many years at Sears, Roebuck; he retired in 1998.

Fred was a gifted entertainer throughout his life, and he enjoyed a variety of artistic pursuits, particularly acting. As a member of the Penn Players he met his first wife, Rosemary Thurber. He was an active member of the Theatre of Western Springs for nearly 50 years, performing 47 roles including Prince Hal in "Henry the IV, Part 1," Murray Burns in "A Thousand Clowns," and Big Daddy in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof." He designed and built sets and worked on makeup, prop, costume, and sound crews. While performing the title role in "Scapino" he met his future wife, Linda Roberts. In 1982 they founded the puppetry troupe Roberts Marionettes, where as technical director Fred built over 100 hand-carved marionettes. He was an avid gardener, an amateur magician, a potter, and a skilled seamster. He loved reading detective fiction and rereading Forester's Horatio Hornblower series.

Fred's survivors include his wife, Linda Roberts; his children, Sara (Mike Lewis-Beck) Thurber Sauers of Iowa City, Iowa, and Greg (Mary) Thurber Sauers of LaGrange, Illinois; his grandchildren, Adam Sauers of Charleston, South Carolina, and Elizabeth Sauers of LaGrange, Illinois; and two nieces.

His brother, Charles Sauers, Jr.; his sister, Dorothea Sauers; and his son, Mark Thurber Sauers preceded him in death.

Plans for a memorial will be announced in the near future.

Memorial donations in Fred's name may be made to the TWS Foundation at the Theatre of Western Springs, 4384 Hampton Avenue, Western Springs, IL 60558.

Published by Suburban Life Publications on Dec. 13, 2017.
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It's wonderful to be reminded of my uncle's many talents. I am so sorry he is no longer with us. My deepest condolences to Linda, and my cousins Sara and Greg.

Carol Stange

December 13, 2017

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