91, died on January 21, 2014 in Sun City Center, Florida, after a short illness.
He was born June 24, 1922, in Clinton, Iowa, where he will be laid to rest alongside his wife of 69 years, Dorys Toups Saur from Abbeville, Louisiana, and his beloved parents, John and Gladys Saur.
Gene was a sterling member of America's "Greatest Generation."
During World War II he was a bombardier with the Army Air Corp.
When his plane was shot down over Berlin, he was captured by German forces, and he spent almost a year as a Prisoner of War, a harrowing ordeal he took in stride and rarely talked about. Gene was universally admired for his character, service and heroism, as well as his contributions as a citizen, business executive, and family man.
Gene graduated from Clinton High School, where he was a star on the track team, and he received a business degree from the University of Iowa.
He was a lifelong fan of Iowa Hawkeye sports.
With their two sons, Dorys and Gene made their home in Davenport, Iowa, where Gene worked at Blackhawk Foundry for over thirty years, as accountant and later Vice President.
The family was active in Edwards Congregational Church, besides family, the center of their social life.
After retirement, Gene and Dorys settled in the lovely community of Sun City Center, Florida, where they joined United Community Church and made many friends.
Gene Saur is survived by his son Richard Saur and his wife Lynn Johnson, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and his son Stephen and his wife Pamela Saur, of Beaumont, Texas. Also surviving are grandson Henry Saur, his wife Elena and daughters Carlee, Clare, and Caroline Saur, residents of the Saint Louis area, and granddaughter Catherine Allen, her husband Kenny, and daughter Tabitha, of Beaumont, Texas.
The family is grateful for the dedication and skill of all Gene's medical personnel and caregivers.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in the name of Eugene C. Saur to the University of Iowa Foundation.