George Russell Sauer

November 4 2015

G. Russell Sauer or "Russ" to all who knew him, passed away on Wednesday November 4, 2015 at the age of 86. Russ was born July 14, 1929 in New York City and grew up in Manhattan. Russ' father Colonel Paul Kurt Sauer was a surgeon and a highly decorated Colonel in WWII. His mother Eleanor Gude Sauer dedicated her life to charity and was an expert in antiques. Russ graduated high school from Collegiate School in NYC. He attended Colorado College graduating in 1951 with a bachelor's degree in Business and Banking. Two college jobs Russ always talked about were how much he enjoyed driving a Pikes Peak tour bus and tending bar. Russ went on to a distinguished career in the Insurance business with Allstate Insurance in Albuquerque, NM before becoming President of the Wilson Agency in Chicago, IL. Russ then founded and was CEO of Prime Insurance specializing in high-risk insurance. Russ' motto was "if we can't insure it nobody can."Russ' passion was the water; from fishing, boating, and scuba diving to enjoying a margarita on a Baja beach watching the sunset. Russ' first visit to Baja, Mexico and fishing in the Sea of Cortez was in 1962. He continued this tradition of fishing Baja, Mexico with virtually the same friends for over 50 years. Russ was always planning his next high adventure fishing trip and would say, "Are you ready for another knock your socks off trip." The trips included fighting peacock bass in the Amazon and reeling in big blue marlin in Central America. Russ owned numerous yachts on Lake Michigan and explored every port on the lake. All his boats were named "Sweet n' Sauer."Russ retired to Ft Myers, Florida in 2001. His new passion was volunteering for the Lee County Sheriff's Office. Russ was honored as Volunteer of the Year in 2007 and was recently honored by Sheriff Scott as an "Honorary Deputy." Russ volunteered over 10,000 hours for the Department! When he was not volunteering for the Sheriff's Department, he could be found running his homeowners association and acting as a Guardian ad Litem for abused children. His favorite Tom T. Hall song "Faster Horses, Younger Women, Older Whiskey and More Money", could sum up how Russ loved life! Russ is survived by his longtime partner Barbara Murphy, his 3 sons and their spouses: Steve and Glenda Sauer of Carlsbad, NM, Jim and Eileen Sauer of Austin, TX, and Tom and Janine Sauer of San Antonio, TX, 5 grandchildren: Jeff Sauer and wife Sharon, Hannah Sauer, Colleen Pate and husband Brad, Kevin Sauer, and Kaitlin Sauer, and 3 great-grandchildren: Hudson, Ella and Glenda. - At Russ' request no services will be held. In lieu of any cards or flowers, please make a donation to Hope Hospice in Fort Myers, Fl. www.hopehospice.org/donate/