John Kenneth Saer M.D.

John Kenneth “Ken” Saer, M.D. died peacefully on November 9, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Born in Dallas, Texas on December 18, 1929, he was the son of Mary Louise Cowser and Edward Harold Saer. The Saer family moved to New Orleans in 1931 for Ken’s father to pursue a new career in the burgeoning cotton business. Ken attended Holy Name of Jesus School and Jesuit High School, and graduated from Portsmouth Priory in Portsmouth, Rhode Island (today, Portsmouth Abbey School) in 1947. He received a B.S. Degree from Tulane University where he was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and was a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity. Ken graduated from Tulane University School of Medicine in 1953, after which he completed a residency in orthopaedic surgery at the University of Michigan and earned a Master of Science degree. Ken returned to New Orleans in 1960 after residency training and joined two orthopaedic surgeons in a medical practice that was known as Drs. Alldredge, Riordan, and Saer. That practice grew into what is now Southern Orthopedic Specialists. Ken was a nationally recognized pioneer in sports medicine. He spent 24 years as the first team physician for the New Orleans Saints. Concurrently, he was the team physician for the Tulane football team and the New Orleans Jazz professional basketball team and was an Adjunct Professor at Tulane Medical School. In his practice, Ken combined interests in the psychology of the athlete and the competition of sport with advancing medical techniques, particularly in knee surgery. The many relationships formed from working closely with athletic coaches, trainers, personnel, and athletes at all levels of competition provided an enduring dynamic and dimension to his practice and to his life. Alongside his medical career and beyond, Ken used his exceptional business acumen to engage astutely in investing, with a canny understanding of markets and current affairs. Activities and sports were mainstays of Ken’s life. He was a competitive tennis player in his youth, and later an avid golfer who enjoyed competitive play at various courses as a member of the U.S. Seniors Golf Association. He brought this passion to his family life, from ski trips with his signature style of instruction to the required “morning dips,” swims before breakfast in chilly lake waters. The summer visits to the Muskoka Lakes in Ontario, Canada that began in Ken’s childhood via his Canadian father continued on Crusoe Island, the family cottage on Lake Muskoka, where he enjoyed decades of intergenerational gatherings of family and friends. He was a member of the New Orleans Country Club, which he served as President, the Boston Club, the Beaumaris Yacht Club, and several Carnival organizations. Ken’s tireless work ethic and intellectual curiosity were complemented by a wry sense of humor and joie de vivre. His wisdom, surprise stories, and encouragement of excellence greatly enriched the lives of his family. Underlying all, he emphasized faith and the importance of a strong set of governing values. Ken is survived by his wife Meredith Province Saer. His first wife, Phyllis Emling Saer, died in 1996. He and Phyllis had five children who survive him: Shaun Duncan (Foster), Margaret Beer (Ken), and Robert Saer (Katherine) all of New Orleans, and John K. Saer Jr. (Shelby) of Greenwich, CT and Penny Coulter (Jim) of San Francisco, CA. He was the adored Namp to his 14 grandchildren, being Katherine Duncan, Will Duncan, Kenneth Saer, Tobin Saer (Erin), Julia Saer, Kingsley Beer Clements (Jack), Megan Beer Eustis (Mason), Hayes Saer (Emily), Matthew Saer, Lily Saer Tufts (Jay), Thomas Saer, Saer Coulter Kirkman (Mike), Audrey Coulter Manchester (Christian), and Wyeth Coulter. He was thrilled to welcome seven great-grandchildren into his family over the past five years. Ken is also survived by his three stepchildren: Robert Jackson (Robbie) of Atlanta, GA, Melanie Jeansonne (Michael) of Franklin, TN, and Mitchum Jackson (Nick Pica) of Mobile, AL. and their children. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Ken is preceded in death by his parents and his siblings: Edward Harold Saer, Jr., Albert Cowser Saer, Patricia Saer Brown, and Donald McQueen Saer. The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the extraordinarily capable people who cared for Ken. The devotion and expertise of Dr. Charlie Smith and Dr. Ted Bloch guided the family through the variables of his illness. Germana Polizzi’s loyalty over many years has been unparalleled, and Montrell Bacchus’ sensitivity and kindness brought diversion and comfort. The staff and administration at Poydras Home provided welcomed daily care and structure over the past six months. Hospice Specialists of Louisiana responded to all of Ken’s needs with alacrity and tender treatment. A Funeral Mass will be said on Friday, November 15th at 12:00 noon at Holy Name of Jesus Church, on St. Charles in New Orleans. Visitation will begin at 11:00 am. Private interment at Metairie Cemetery will follow. In lieu of flowers, any remembrances of Ken can be made to Holy Name of Jesus Church, Second Harvest Food Bank, or the charity of your choice. To view the online guestbook, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com.