Dr. Robert Sautter
October 9, 1923 ~ March 21, 2015
Dr. Robert A. Sautter, 91, of Mt. Vernon, died at home on Saturday, March 21, 2015. Funeral Services: 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 26, 2015, at the Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church, by Rev. Dr. William Daylong. Visitation: 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Mt. Vernon (formerly Morgan's). Burial: Mt. Vernon Cemetery, with military honors by Hahn-Howard American Legion Post 480 and the Iowa National Guard Funeral Honor Guard.
Survivors include his children, Paula (Dennis) Hedlund of Rochester, Minnesota, Robert (Holly) Sautter of Rockford, Illinois, and James (Jennifer) Sautter of Blue Grass, Iowa; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; sister Crystal Krenik of Le Center, Minnesota; and many nephews and nieces.
Bob was born October 9, 1923, in Le Center, Minnesota, the son of Benjamin and Amelia (Ehmke) Sautter. On June 16, 1948, he married Nedra McNabney at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids.
Following service in the U.S. Navy during World War II, Dr. Sautter received his medical degree in 1948 from the University of Iowa College of Medicine. Upon completion of his residency, he served in the U.S. Army from 1950 ' 52 as a surgeon in the Korean War. Dr. Sautter was a family physician in Mt. Vernon for 35 years, and was affiliated with St. Luke's and Mercy Hospitals in Cedar Rapids. He was instrumental in founding the ambulance service in Mt. Vernon.
His professional memberships included the Iowa Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He was also involved in numerous community organizations including the American Legion and the Lions Club. He served on the board for the Mt. Vernon Bank, and was a member of the Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church.
Bob and Nedra enjoyed many happy times with family and friends at their cabin on Lake Miltona in Minnesota, especially after his retirement in 1986.
He was preceded in death by Nedra Sautter, his wife of 54 years; sister, Iris Westphal; niece, Sue Westphal; and his parents.
Memorials are suggested to the Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church or Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center.
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So glad to still have these memories of Dr. Bob!
Dr Sautter was my doctor as a youngster until his retirement. I thought of Dr. Sautter often when I have gone to doctors appointment and/or taking my children to their appointments. What an amazing man !!! RIP Dr. Sautter……I will continue to think of you !!
I will have the family in my thoughts and prayers.
Skeeter (Myers) Montgomery
1986 Mt Vernon Graduate
Our family has a lot of great memories of Dr. Bob and Nedra up at Lake Miltona. Bob’s warm personality, great sense of humor and wit will be missed. Jim, Karen, Karrie and Matthew Stewart
My grandfather was honorable, intelligent, loyal, and kind. He makes me proud to be his granddaughter.
If any of you have a photo of Bob (aka Bop Bop, Dr. Sautter, etc.) you would like to share for his services, please send it to me via email at lnossuli@gmail.com. (I’m his granddaughter, Laird). Please share, as we know that he meant a great deal to a lot of people.
Bob was not only our Dr. but he and his family was our neighbor for many years….
Our thoughts and and prayers are with you…… Paula, Rob,, Jim and your families….
Barbara & Charlie Akers….
Dennis, Scott, Philip and Kathy
I am so sorry to learn that Dr. Sautter has passed away. It was my honor and pleasure for Dr. Sautter to refer patients to me for internal medicine consultation over the years. I particularly recall his being very gracious and kind to me when I was the new kid on the block and he was the older and more seasoned physician. His calm and measured pattern of speech reflected his personal and professional character.
One of the time honored maxims is that for a physician to care for a patient, the physician must care about the patient. I know that Dr. Sautter cared very much about his patients and that his patients were aware of that and cared for him in return.
My sympathy goes to his family.
Whealen Koontz, M.D.
Rob and Family,
So sorry to hear of your father’s passing. He was always my favorite doctor! —especially the time he drew a circle on my arm in ink to show me where my problem was……. He will be missed by many, but know that he is wrapped in the arms of our dear Lord and Savior and at peace. Wendy Kaplan Johnson
Dr. Sautter was a wonderful mentor when I first joined the medical practice in Mount Vernon. He was patient, considerate, and smart. He was known by many of the physicians and specialists in Cedar Rapids as one of the areas best diagnosticians. It was an honor to have known him.
Dr. Deb George
We received notice of Bob’s death just a couple of days ago, and will miss my friend. In 1954 my wife, Jan and I, lived in Mt. Vernon during my third year of Medical School at the U of Iowa while she finished college at Cornell. That Summer Bob graciously accepted me for a preceptor ship and became my mentor and friend. Jan worked in the office. We where often at their home and joined them on family vacation with Ned, Paula and Rob. Through the years our contacts were many and treasured. When he was no longer able to travel my days were occasionally brightened by his distinctive voice on the phone, the last, two months ago. I’ll miss you Bob, you were the best!